Flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A wireless device such as a user equipment (UE) may include multiple antenna arrays used to support wireless communications. The antenna arrays may be located at different parts of the UE and may allow the UE to flexibly perform beamforming communications. The antenna arrays maybe configured as antenna sets, and the size of each antenna set may vary based on the configuration of the UE. For example, a UE may include a foldable display having multiple foldable display units, and the communication parameters used for transmission and reception of signals via the antenna arrays may depend on the configuration of the foldable display units. In some aspects, a state of the foldable display units or the arrangement of the antenna arrays relative to one another may be used to configure and perform beamforming communications between the UE and a base station.

CROSS REFERENCE

The present Application for Patent is a Divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/683,105 by Raghavan et al., entitled “FLEXIBLEBEAMFORMING TECHNIQUES FOR WIRELESS DEVICES” filed Nov. 13, 2019, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/780,142by Raghavan et al., entitled “FLEXIBLE BEAMFORMING TECHNIQUES FORWIRELESS DEVICES,” filed Dec. 14, 2018, assigned to the assignee hereof,and expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

INTRODUCTION

The following relates generally to wireless communications, and morespecifically to beamforming techniques for wireless devices.

Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide varioustypes of communication content such as voice, video, packet data,messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable ofsupporting communication with multiple users by sharing the availablesystem resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of suchmultiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such asLong Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, orLTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may bereferred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employtechnologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA),orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discreteFourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple-access communications system mayinclude a number of base stations or network access nodes, eachsimultaneously supporting communication for multiple communicationdevices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE).

SUMMARY

A method of wireless communications at a UE having one or more foldableunits is described. The method may include identifying foldable statecapability information of the UE, the foldable state capabilityinformation corresponding to a state of the one or more foldable units,transmitting an indication of the foldable state capability informationto a base station in communications with the UE, and performing abeamforming communication between the base station and the UE based onthe foldable state capability information.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a UE having one or morefoldable units is described. The apparatus may include a processor,memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory.The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause theapparatus to identify foldable state capability information of the UE,the foldable state capability information corresponding to a state ofthe one or more foldable units, transmit an indication of the foldablestate capability information to a base station in communications withthe UE, and perform a beamforming communication between the base stationand the UE based on the foldable state capability information.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a UE having one or morefoldable units is described. The apparatus may include means foridentifying foldable state capability information of the UE, thefoldable state capability information corresponding to a state of theone or more foldable units, transmitting an indication of the foldablestate capability information to a base station in communications withthe UE, and performing a beamforming communication between the basestation and the UE based on the foldable state capability information.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunications at a UE having one or more foldable units is described.The code may include instructions executable by a processor to identifyfoldable state capability information of the UE, the foldable statecapability information corresponding to a state of the one or morefoldable units, transmit an indication of the foldable state capabilityinformation to a base station in communications with the UE, and performa beamforming communication between the base station and the UE based onthe foldable state capability information.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for determining a number ofindependently foldable units of the one or more foldable units of theUE, and transmitting the number of the independently foldable units inthe foldable state capability information to the base station.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for determining angleinformation associated with the one or more foldable units, andtransmitting the angle information associated with the one or morefoldable units in the foldable state capability information.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, determining the angleinformation may include operations, features, means, or instructions foridentifying an angle separation between a first antenna array of a firstfoldable unit of the one or more foldable units and a second antennaarray of a second foldable unit of the one or more foldable units.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, determining the angleinformation may include operations, features, means, or instructions forobtaining relative positioning information from one or more sensors ofthe UE with respect to a reference direction, and determining an anglebetween two or more antenna arrays of the one or more foldable unitsbased on the relative positioning information.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for receiving thebeamformed communication according to a beamwidth used by the basestation based on the foldable state capability information, andadjusting a beamwidth used by the UE based on the beamwidth used by thebase station.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for determining a foldablestate of the UE based on the one or more foldable units, andtransmitting an indication of the foldable state in the foldable statecapability information.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the foldable state of the UEincludes a single quantized state from a set of quantized statesassociated with the UE.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the foldable state of the UEincludes an indication for one of a folded state, one or more partiallyopen states, a fully open state, or a flat state.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the foldable state of the UEmay be associated with a 0 degree angle, a 90 degree angle, a 180 degreeangle, or an intermediate angle between two or more of the one or morefoldable units.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for including theindication of the foldable state capability information in a UEcapability message.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, performing the beamformingcommunication may include operations, features, means, or instructionsfor configuring a set of receive antenna arrays of the UE based on thefoldable state capability information, and receiving a beamformed signalfrom the base station via the configured set of receive antenna arrays.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, performing the beamformingcommunication may include operations, features, means, or instructionsfor configuring a set of transmit antenna arrays of the UE based on thefoldable state capability information, and transmitting a beamformedsignal to the base station via the configured set of transmit antennaarrays.

A method of wireless communications at a base station is described. Themethod may include receiving, from a UE, an indication of foldable statecapability information of the UE, the foldable state capabilityinformation corresponding to a state of the one or more foldable unitsof the UE, determining a beamforming parameter for beamformingcommunications with the UE based on the foldable state capabilityinformation, and performing a beamforming communication with the UEbased on the beamforming parameter.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a base station is described.The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled to the processor,and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may beexecutable by the processor to cause the apparatus to receive, from aUE, an indication of foldable state capability information of the UE,the foldable state capability information corresponding to a state ofthe one or more foldable units of the UE, determine a beamformingparameter for beamforming communications with the UE based on thefoldable state capability information, and perform a beamformingcommunication with the UE based on the beamforming parameter.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a base station isdescribed. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from a UE, anindication of foldable state capability information of the UE, thefoldable state capability information corresponding to a state of theone or more foldable units of the UE, determining a beamformingparameter for beamforming communications with the UE based on thefoldable state capability information, and performing a beamformingcommunication with the UE based on the beamforming parameter.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunications at a base station is described. The code may includeinstructions executable by a processor to receive, from a UE, anindication of foldable state capability information of the UE, thefoldable state capability information corresponding to a state of theone or more foldable units of the UE, determine a beamforming parameterfor beamforming communications with the UE based on the foldable statecapability information, and perform a beamforming communication with theUE based on the beamforming parameter.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the one or more foldableunits may include a rollable folding di splay or an extendable display.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, determining the beamformingparameter may include operations, features, means, or instructions fordetermining a periodicity for a set of reference signals of a beamtraining process for the UE, and transmitting an indication of theperiodicity for the set of reference signals to of the beam trainingprocess to the UE.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, determining the periodicitymay include operations, features, means, or instructions for increasingor decreasing the periodicity of the set of reference signals withrespect to a current or previous periodicity of the set of referencesignals.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the set of reference signalsincludes a set of channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs).

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, the indication of theperiodicity may be transmitted to the UE via a downlink control channel.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, determining the beamformingparameter may include operations, features, means, or instructions fordetermining a set of beam indices or a number of beams for use at the UEin beamforming communications with the UE, where determining the numberof beams comprises determining a hierarchy of the number of beams, andtransmitting an indication of the set of beam indices or the number ofbeams to the UE.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, determining the beamformingparameter may include operations, features, means, or instructions fordetermining a beamwidth of a beam for use at the UE in beamformingcommunications with the UE, and transmitting an indication of thebeamwidth of the beam to the UE.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for determining a set ofbeam indices for use at the base station in beamforming communicationswith the UE, where the beamforming communication may be performed basedon the set of beam indices or the number of beams, where thedetermination of the number of beams comprises determining a hierarchyof the number of beams, and adjusting a codebook associated with thenumber of beams, the beam indices, or the hierarchy of the number ofbeams, or a combination thereof.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for determining a beamwidthof a beam for use at the base station in beamforming communications withthe UE, where the beamforming communication may be performed based onthe beamwidth, and adjusting a codebook associated with the beamformingof the beam.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for receiving thebeamformed communication from the UE according to a beamwidth used bythe UE, where the beamwidth for use by the base station may bedetermined based on the beamwidth used by the UE.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, determining the beamformingparameter may include operations, features, means, or instructions fordetermining a transmit power for at least one beam for beamformingcommunications with the UE.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for determining respectivetransmit powers for each of a set of beams for beamformingcommunications with the UE.

In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein, performing the beamformingcommunication with the UE may include operations, features, means, orinstructions for transmitting the beamforming communication via the atleast one beam in accordance with the transmit power.

A method of wireless communications at a UE having multiple antennaarrays is described. The method may include identifying antenna arrayinformation of the UE, the antenna array information corresponding tothe multiple antenna arrays, transmitting an indication of the antennaarray information to a base station in communication with the UE, andperforming a beamforming communication with the base station based onthe antenna array information.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a UE having multiple antennaarrays is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memorycoupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. Theinstructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatusto identify antenna array information of the UE, the antenna arrayinformation corresponding to the multiple antenna arrays, transmit anindication of the antenna array information to a base station incommunication with the UE, and perform a beamforming communication withthe base station based on the antenna array information.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a UE having multipleantenna arrays is described. The apparatus may include means foridentifying antenna array information of the UE, the antenna arrayinformation corresponding to the multiple antenna arrays, transmittingan indication of the antenna array information to a base station incommunication with the UE, and performing a beamforming communicationwith the base station based on the antenna array information.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunications at a UE having multiple antenna arrays is described. Thecode may include instructions executable by a processor to identifyantenna array information of the UE, the antenna array informationcorresponding to the multiple antenna arrays, transmit an indication ofthe antenna array information to a base station in communication withthe UE, and perform a beamforming communication with the base stationbased on the antenna array information.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a set ofactive antenna arrays for beamforming communications with the basestation, and transmitting an indication of the set of active antennaarrays in the antenna array information.

A method of wireless communications at a base station is described. Themethod may include receiving, from a UE, an indication of antenna arrayinformation of the UE, the antenna array information corresponding tomultiple antenna arrays of the UE, determining a beamforming parameterfor beamforming communications with the UE based on the antenna arrayinformation, and performing a beamforming communication with the UEbased on the beamforming parameter.

An apparatus for wireless communications at a base station is described.The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled to the processor,and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may beexecutable by the processor to cause the apparatus to receive, from aUE, an indication of antenna array information of the UE, the antennaarray information corresponding to multiple antenna arrays of the UE,determine a beamforming parameter for beamforming communications withthe UE based on the antenna array information, and perform a beamformingcommunication with the UE based on the beamforming parameter.

Another apparatus for wireless communications at a base station isdescribed. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from a UE, anindication of antenna array information of the UE, the antenna arrayinformation corresponding to multiple antenna arrays of the UE,determining a beamforming parameter for beamforming communications withthe UE based on the antenna array information, and performing abeamforming communication with the UE based on the beamformingparameter.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wirelesscommunications at a base station is described. The code may includeinstructions executable by a processor to receive, from a UE, anindication of antenna array information of the UE, the antenna arrayinformation corresponding to multiple antenna arrays of the UE,determine a beamforming parameter for beamforming communications withthe UE based on the antenna array information, and perform a beamformingcommunication with the UE based on the beamforming parameter.

Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitorycomputer-readable medium described herein may further includeoperations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a set ofactive antenna arrays of the UE for beamforming communications based onthe antenna array information, and determining the beamforming parameterbased on the set of active antenna arrays.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system thatsupports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system thatsupports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a device configuration that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a device configuration that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a device configuration that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a device configuration that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a device configuration that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a device configuration that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a process flow that supports flexiblebeamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance with one ormore aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a process flow that supports flexiblebeamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance with one ormore aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show block diagrams of devices that support flexiblebeamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance with one ormore aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show block diagrams of devices that support flexiblebeamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance with one ormore aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 19 through 27 show flowcharts illustrating methods that supportflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some UEs may be designed with foldable displays. While form factor andcost considerations result in most UEs having a non-foldable display, asdesign complexity has decreased, UEs with foldable displays have gainedincreasing traction. UEs with foldable displays may present newchallenges in wireless communications. For example, depending on aconfiguration of the foldable displays of a UE, traditional techniquesmay need to be enhanced for improving beamforming communications betweenthe UE and other wireless devices (e.g., a base station).

A wireless device such as a UE may include multiple antenna modules eachwith multiple antenna arrays used to support communications between theUE and other wireless devices (e.g., a base station). The multipleantenna arrays may each include a set of antenna elements, each of whichmay be separately or jointly configured to transmit or receive wirelesssignals. The multiple antenna arrays may be located or positioned atdifferent parts or along different portions of the UE and may allow theUE to flexibly perform beamforming communications.

When performing communications, the multiple antenna arrays may beconfigured individually or jointly as antenna sets or groups, and thesize of each antenna set or group including the number of antenna arraysin the antenna set or group may vary based on the configuration of theUE. For example, a UE may include a foldable display having multipleindependent foldable display units, and the communication parametersused for transmission and reception of signals via the multiple antennaarrays (or a portion of the multiple antenna arrays) may depend on theconfiguration of the multiple independent foldable display units. Insome aspects, a state of the multiple foldable display units (e.g., aclosed state, a partially open state, a fully open state) or thearrangement of the multiple antenna arrays relative to one another maybe used to configure and perform beamforming communications between theUE and a base station.

In some cases, the UE may transmit foldable state capability informationor antenna array information to a base station, including which antennaarrays or sets or groups are available for a beam training process, arelative angle between the antenna arrays, the number of antenna arraysin each antenna set or group, or the number of independent foldabledisplay units, among others. The base station may adapt a beam trainingprocess based on the foldable state capability information or antennaarray information from the UE. For instance, the base station may traineach of the antenna sets or groups independently to speed up the beamtraining process. Additionally or alternatively, the base station maysuggest, to the UE, specific beam indices (e.g., in specific directions)or beamwidths based on the foldable state capability information or theantenna array information. In some aspects, the base station may modifythe beamwidths used by the base station for beamforming communicationswith the UE based on the suggestions to the UE, the foldable statecapability information, or the antenna array information (e.g., tocapture cluster gains from the antenna sets).

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context ofwireless communications systems. Aspects are then described with respectto device configurations and process flows. Aspects of the disclosureare further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatusdiagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to flexiblebeamforming techniques for wireless devices.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100that supports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Thewireless communications system 100 includes network devices 105, UEs115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wirelesscommunications system 100 may be an LTE network, an LTE-A network, anLTE-A Pro network, or an NR network. In some cases, wirelesscommunications system 100 may support enhanced broadband communications,ultra-reliable (e.g., mission critical) communications, low latencycommunications, or communications with low-cost and low-complexitydevices.

The core network 130 may provide user authentication, accessauthorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and otheraccess, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be anevolved packet core (EPC), which may include at least one mobilitymanagement entity (MME), at least one serving gateway (S-GW), and atleast one Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW). The MME may managenon-access stratum (e.g., control plane) functions such as mobility,authentication, and bearer management for UEs 115 served by networkdevices 105 associated with the EPC. User IP packets may be transferredthrough the S-GW, which itself may be connected to the P-GW. The P-GWmay provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The P-GWmay be connected to the network operators IP services. The operators IPservices may include access to the Internet, Intranet(s), an IPMultimedia Subsystem (IMS), or a Packet-Switched (PS) Streaming Service.

At least some of the network devices 105 (e.g., network device 105-a),which may be an example of a base station (e.g., eNB, network accessdevices, gNB), or network device 105-b, which may be an example of anaccess node controller (ANC)), may interface with the core network 130through backhaul links 132 (e.g., S1, S2) and may perform radioconfiguration and scheduling for communication with the UEs 115. Invarious examples, the network devices 105-b may communicate, eitherdirectly or indirectly (e.g., through core network 130), with each otherover backhaul links 134 (e.g., X1, X2), which may be wired or wirelesscommunication links.

Each network device 105-b may also additionally or alternativelycommunicate with a number of UEs 115 through a number of other networkdevices 105-c, where network device 105-c may be an example of a smartradio head (or through a number of smart radio heads). In alternativeconfigurations, various functions of each network device 105 may bedistributed across various network devices 105 (e.g., radio heads andaccess network controllers) or consolidated into a single network device105 (e.g., a base station).

Network device 105 may wirelessly communicate with UEs 115 via one ormore base station antennas. Network device 105 described herein mayinclude or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as a basetransceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radiotransceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a 5G or a next-generation NodeBor giga-NodeB (either of which may be referred to as a gNB), a HomeNodeB, a Home eNodeB, or some other suitable terminology. Wirelesscommunications system 100 may include network devices 105 of differenttypes (e.g., macro or small cell base stations). The UEs 115 describedherein may be able to communicate with various types of network devices105 and network equipment including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, gNBs,relay base stations, and the like.

Each network device 105 may be associated with a particular geographiccoverage area 110 in which communications with various UEs 115 issupported. Each network device 105 may provide communication coveragefor a respective geographic coverage area 110 via communication links125, and communication links 125 between a network device 105 and a UE115 may utilize one or more carriers. Communication links 125 shown inwireless communications system 100 may include uplink transmissions froma UE 115 to a network device 105, or downlink transmissions from anetwork device 105 to a UE 115. Downlink transmissions may also becalled forward link transmissions while uplink transmissions may also becalled reverse link transmissions.

The geographic coverage area 110 for a network device 105 may be dividedinto sectors making up only a portion of the geographic coverage area110, and each sector may be associated with a cell. For example, eachnetwork device 105 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell,a small cell, a hot spot, or other types of cells, or variouscombinations thereof. In some examples, a network device 105 may bemovable and therefore provide communication coverage for a movinggeographic coverage area 110. In some examples, different geographiccoverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap,and overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with differenttechnologies may be supported by the same network device 105 or bydifferent network devices 105. The wireless communications system 100may include, for example, a heterogeneous LTE/LTE-A/LTE-A Pro or NRnetwork in which different types of network devices 105 provide coveragefor various geographic coverage areas 110.

The term “cell” refers to a logical communication entity used forcommunication with a network device 105 (e.g., over a carrier), and maybe associated with an identifier for distinguishing neighboring cells(e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier(VCID)) operating via the same or a different carrier. In some examples,a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may beconfigured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine-typecommunication (MTC), narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT), enhancedmobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access fordifferent types of devices. In some cases, the term “cell” may refer toa portion of a geographic coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) over whichthe logical entity operates.

UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the wireless communications system100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile. A UE 115 may also bereferred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, ahandheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitableterminology, where the “device” may also be referred to as a unit, astation, a terminal, or a client. A UE 115 may be a personal electronicdevice such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), atablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer.Additionally, as described herein, a UE 115 may be a flexible wirelessdevice with a foldable display. For example, a UE 115 may have multipleindependent foldable display units, flexible displays, bendabledisplays, rollable displays, or other unique form factors. As usedherein, the descriptors “foldable display”, “flexible display”,“bendable display”, and “rollable display” may be used interchangeably,where each of the descriptors relates to a UE 115 that includes one ormore antenna arrays that can change based on an adjustable physicalconfiguration of the UE 115. In some examples, a UE 115 may also referto a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT)device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or an MTC device, or thelike, which may be implemented in various articles such as appliances,vehicles, meters, or the like. A UE 115 may communicate with the corenetwork 130 through communication link 135.

Some UEs 115, such as MTC or IoT devices, may be low cost or lowcomplexity devices, and may provide for automated communication betweenmachines (e.g., via Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication). M2Mcommunication or MTC may refer to data communication technologies thatallow devices to communicate with one another or a network device 105without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTCmay include communications from devices that integrate sensors or metersto measure or capture information and relay that information to acentral server or application program that can make use of theinformation or present the information to humans interacting with theprogram or application. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collectinformation or enable automated behavior of machines. Examples ofapplications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventorymonitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcaremonitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological eventmonitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing,physical access control, and transaction-based business charging.

Some UEs 115 may be configured to employ operating modes that reducepower consumption, such as half-duplex communications (e.g., a mode thatsupports one-way communication via transmission or reception, but nottransmission and reception simultaneously). In some examples half-duplexcommunications may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other powerconservation techniques for UEs 115 include entering a power saving“deep sleep” mode when not engaging in active communications, oroperating over a limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowbandcommunications). In some cases, UEs 115 may be designed to supportcritical functions (e.g., mission critical functions), and a wirelesscommunications system 100 may be configured to provide ultra-reliablecommunications for these functions.

In some cases, a UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly withother UEs 115 (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or device-to-device(D2D) protocol). One or more of a group of UEs 115 utilizing D2Dcommunications may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of anetwork device 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group may be outside thegeographic coverage area 110 of a network device 105, or be otherwiseunable to receive transmissions from a network device 105. In somecases, groups of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communications mayutilize a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits toevery other UE 115 in the group. In some cases, a network device 105facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In othercases, D2D communications are carried out between UEs 115 without theinvolvement of a network device 105.

Network devices 105 may communicate with the core network 130 and withone another. For example, network devices 105 may interface with thecore network 130 through backhaul links 132 (e.g., via an S1, N2, N3, orother interface). Network devices 105 may communicate with one anotherover backhaul links 134 (e.g., via an X2, Xn, or other interface) eitherdirectly (e.g., directly between network devices 105) or indirectly(e.g., via core network 130).

The core network 130 may provide user authentication, accessauthorization, tracking, IP connectivity, and other access, routing, ormobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core(EPC), which may include at least one mobility management entity (MME),at least one serving gateway (S-GW), and at least one Packet DataNetwork (PDN) gateway (P-GW). The MME may manage non-access stratum(e.g., control plane) functions such as mobility, authentication, andbearer management for UEs 115 served by network devices 105 associatedwith the EPC. User IP packets may be transferred through the S-GW, whichitself may be connected to the P-GW. The P-GW may provide IP addressallocation as well as other functions. The P-GW may be connected to thenetwork operators IP services. The operators IP services may includeaccess to the Internet, Intranet(s), an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS),or a Packet-Switched (PS) Streaming Service.

At least some of the network devices, such as a network device 105, mayinclude subcomponents such as an access network entity, which may be anexample of an access node controller (ANC). Each access network entitymay communicate with UEs 115 through a number of other access networktransmission entities, which may be referred to as a radio head, a smartradio head, or a transmission/reception point (which may be known as atransmission reception point (TRP); however, in the present disclosure,TRP will be assumed to stand for total radiated power unless otherwisespecified). In some configurations, various functions of each accessnetwork entity or network device 105 may be distributed across variousnetwork devices (e.g., radio heads and access network controllers) orconsolidated into a single network device (e.g., a network device 105).

Wireless communications system 100 may operate using one or morefrequency bands, typically in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300gigahertz (GHz). Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is known asthe ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band, since thewavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter inlength. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings andenvironmental features. However, the waves may penetrate structuressufficiently for a macro cell to provide service to UEs 115 locatedindoors. Transmission of UHF waves may be associated with smallerantennas and shorter range (e.g., less than 100 km) compared totransmission using the smaller frequencies and longer waves of the highfrequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrumbelow 300 MHz.

Wireless communications system 100 may also operate in a super highfrequency (SHF) region using frequency bands from 3 GHz to 30 GHz, alsoknown as the centimeter band. The SHF region includes bands such as the5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bands, which may be usedopportunistically by devices that can tolerate interference from otherusers.

Wireless communications system 100 may also operate in an extremely highfrequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz),also known as the millimeter band. In some examples, wirelesscommunications system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW)communications between UEs 115 and network devices 105, and EHF antennasof the respective devices may be even smaller and more closely spacedthan UHF antennas. In some cases, this may facilitate use of antennaarrays within a UE 115. However, the propagation of EHF transmissionsmay be subject to even greater atmospheric attenuation and shorter rangethan SHF or UHF transmissions. Techniques disclosed herein may beemployed across transmissions that use one or more different frequencyregions, and designated use of bands across these frequency regions maydiffer by country or regulating body.

In some cases, wireless communications system 100 may utilize bothlicensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example,wireless communications system 100 may employ License Assisted Access(LAA), LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technologyin an unlicensed band such as the 5 GHz ISM band. When operating inunlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands, wireless devices such asnetwork devices 105 and UEs 115 may employ listen-before-talk (LBT)procedures to ensure a frequency channel is clear before transmittingdata. In some cases, operations in unlicensed bands may be based on acarrier aggregation (CA) configuration in conjunction with componentcarriers (CCs) operating in a licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operations inunlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplinktransmissions, peer-to-peer transmissions, or a combination of these.Duplexing in unlicensed spectrum may be based on frequency divisionduplexing (FDD), time division duplexing (TDD), or a combination ofboth.

In some examples, network device 105 or UE 115 may be equipped withmultiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such astransmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) communications, or beamforming. For example, wirelesscommunications system 100 may use a transmission scheme between atransmitting device (e.g., a network device 105) and a receiving device(e.g., a UE 115), where the transmitting device is equipped withmultiple antennas and the receiving devices are equipped with one ormore antennas.

MIMO communications may employ multipath signal propagation to increasethe spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signalsvia different spatial layers, which may be referred to as spatialmultiplexing. The multiple signals may, for example, be transmitted bythe transmitting device via different antennas or different combinationsof antennas. Likewise, the multiple signals may be received by thereceiving device via different antennas or different combinations ofantennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separatespatial stream, and may carry bits associated with the same data stream(e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams. Different spatiallayers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channelmeasurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO(SU-MIMO) where multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the samereceiving device, and multiple-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) where multiplespatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering,directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signalprocessing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or areceiving device (e.g., a network device 105 or a UE 115) to shape orsteer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam or receive beam) along aspatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device.Beamforming may be achieved by combining the signals communicated viaantenna elements of an antenna array such that signals propagating atparticular orientations with respect to an antenna array experienceconstructive interference while others experience destructiveinterference. The adjustment of signals communicated via the antennaelements may include a transmitting device or a receiving deviceapplying certain amplitude and phase offsets to signals carried via eachof the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustmentsassociated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by abeamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g.,with respect to the antenna array of the transmitting device orreceiving device, or with respect to some other orientation).

In one example, a network device 105 may use multiple antennas orantenna arrays to conduct beamforming operations for directionalcommunications with a UE 115. For instance, some signals (e.g.,synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, orother control signals) may be transmitted by a network device 105multiple times in different directions, which may include a signal beingtransmitted according to different beamforming weight sets associatedwith different directions of transmission. Transmissions in differentbeam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by the network device 105or a receiving device, such as a UE 115) a beam direction for subsequenttransmission or reception by the network device 105.

Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particularreceiving device, may be transmitted by a network device 105 in a singlebeam direction (e.g., a direction associated with the receiving device,such as a UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated withtransmissions along a single beam direction may be determined based atleast in part on a signal that was transmitted in different beamdirections. For example, a UE 115 may receive one or more of the signalstransmitted by the network device 105 in different directions, and theUE 115 may report to the network device 105 an indication of the signalit received with a highest signal quality, or an otherwise acceptablesignal quality. Although these techniques are described with referenceto signals transmitted in one or more directions by a network device105, a UE 115 may employ similar techniques for transmitting signalsmultiple times in different directions (e.g., for identifying a beamdirection for subsequent transmission or reception by the UE 115), ortransmitting a signal in a single direction (e.g., for transmitting datato a receiving device).

A receiving device (e.g., a UE 115, which may be an example of a mmWreceiving device) may try multiple receive beams when receiving varioussignals from the network device 105, such as synchronization signals,reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals. Forexample, a receiving device may try multiple receive directions byreceiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing receivedsignals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving accordingto different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals receivedat a set of antenna elements of an antenna array, or by processingreceived signals according to different receive beamforming weight setsapplied to signals received at a set of antenna elements of an antennaarray, any of which may be referred to as “listening” according todifferent receive beams or receive directions. In some examples areceiving device may use a single receive beam to receive along a singlebeam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receivebeam may be aligned in a beam direction determined based on listeningaccording to different receive beam directions (e.g., a beam directiondetermined to have a highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noiseratio, or otherwise acceptable signal quality based on listeningaccording to multiple beam directions).

In some cases, the antennas of a network device 105 or UE 115 may belocated within one or more antenna arrays, which may support MIMOoperations, or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or morebase station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antennaassembly, such as an antenna tower. In some cases, antennas or antennaarrays associated with a network device 105 may be located in diversegeographic locations. A network device 105 may have an antenna arraywith a number of rows and columns of antenna ports that the networkdevice 105 may use to support beamforming of communications with a UE115. Likewise, a UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that maysupport various MIMO or beamforming operations.

In some cases, wireless communications system 100 may be a packet-basednetwork that operate according to a layered protocol stack. In the userplane, communications at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol(PDCP) layer may be IP-based. A Radio Link Control (RLC) layer may insome cases perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicateover logical channels. A Medium Access Control (MAC) layer may performpriority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transportchannels. The MAC layer may also use hybrid automatic repeat request(HARD) to provide retransmission at the MAC layer to improve linkefficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC)protocol layer may provide establishment, configuration, and maintenanceof an RRC connection between a UE 115 and a network device 105 or corenetwork 130 supporting radio bearers for user plane data. At thePhysical layer, transport channels may be mapped to physical channels.

In some cases, UEs 115 and network devices 105 may supportretransmissions of data to increase the likelihood that data is receivedsuccessfully. HARQ feedback is one technique of increasing thelikelihood that data is received correctly over a communication link125. HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using acyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), andretransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ may improvethroughput at the MAC layer in poor radio conditions (e.g.,signal-to-noise conditions). In some cases, a wireless device maysupport same-slot HARQ feedback, where the device may provide HARQfeedback in a specific slot for data received in a previous symbol inthe slot. In other cases, the device may provide HARQ feedback in asubsequent slot, or according to some other time interval.

Time intervals in LTE or NR may be expressed in multiples of a basictime unit, which may, for example, refer to a sampling period ofT_(s)=1/30,720,000 seconds. Time intervals of a communications resourcemay be organized according to radio frames each having a duration of 10milliseconds (ms), where the frame period may be expressed asT_(f)=307,200 T_(s). The radio frames may be identified by a systemframe number (SFN) ranging from 0 to 1023. Each frame may include 10subframes numbered from 0 to 9, and each subframe may have a duration of1 ms. A subframe may be further divided into 2 slots each having aduration of 0.5 ms, and each slot may contain 6 or 7 modulation symbolperiods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepended toeach symbol period). Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period maycontain 2048 sampling periods. In some cases, a subframe may be thesmallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system 100, andmay be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In othercases, a smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system100 may be shorter than a subframe or may be dynamically selected (e.g.,in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs) or in selected CCs using sTTIs).

In some wireless communications systems, a slot may further be dividedinto multiple mini-slots containing one or more symbols. In someinstances, a symbol of a mini-slot or a mini-slot may be the smallestunit of scheduling. Each symbol may vary in duration depending on thesubcarrier spacing or frequency band of operation, for example. Further,some wireless communications systems may implement slot aggregation inwhich multiple slots or mini-slots are aggregated together and used forcommunication between a UE 115 and a network device 105.

The term “carrier” refers to a set of radio frequency spectrum resourceshaving a defined physical layer structure for supporting communicationsover a communication link 125. For example, a carrier of a communicationlink 125 may include a portion of a radio frequency spectrum band thatis operated according to physical layer channels for a given radioaccess technology. Each physical layer channel may carry user data,control information, or other signaling. A carrier may be associatedwith a pre-defined frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) absolute radio frequency channelnumber (EARFCN)), and may be positioned according to a channel rasterfor discovery by UEs 115. Carriers may be downlink or uplink (e.g., inan FDD mode), or be configured to carry downlink and uplinkcommunications (e.g., in a TDD mode). In some examples, signal waveformstransmitted over a carrier may be made up of multiple subcarriers (e.g.,using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or DFT-s-OFDM).

The organizational structure of the carriers may be different fordifferent radio access technologies (LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR, etc.).For example, communications over a carrier may be organized according toTTIs or slots, each of which may include user data as well as controlinformation or signaling to support decoding the user data. A carriermay also include dedicated acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronizationsignals or system information, etc.) and control signaling thatcoordinates operation for the carrier. In some examples (e.g., in a CAconfiguration), a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or controlsignaling that coordinates operations for other carriers.

Physical channels may be multiplexed on a carrier according to varioustechniques. A physical control channel and a physical data channel maybe multiplexed on a downlink carrier, for example, using time divisionmultiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM)techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. In some examples, controlinformation transmitted in a physical control channel may be distributedbetween different control regions in a cascaded manner (e.g., between acommon control region or common search space and one or more UE-specificcontrol regions or UE-specific search spaces).

A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the radiofrequency spectrum, and in some examples the carrier bandwidth may bereferred to as a “system bandwidth” of the carrier or the wirelesscommunications system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be oneof a number of predetermined bandwidths for carriers of a particularradio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 MHz). Insome examples, each served UE 115 may be configured for operating overportions or all of the carrier bandwidth. In other examples, some UEs115 may be configured for operation using a narrowband protocol typethat is associated with a predefined portion or range (e.g., set ofsubcarriers or resource blocks (RBs)) within a carrier (e.g., “in-band”deployment of a narrowband protocol type).

In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may consist ofone symbol period (e.g., a duration of one modulation symbol) and onesubcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier spacing are inverselyrelated. The number of bits carried by each resource element may dependon the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme).Thus, the more resource elements that a UE 115 receives and the higherthe order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate may be forthe UE 115. In MIMO systems, a wireless communications resource mayrefer to a combination of a radio frequency spectrum resource, a timeresource, and a spatial resource (e.g., spatial layers), and the use ofmultiple spatial layers may further increase the data rate forcommunications with a UE 115.

Devices of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., network devices105 or UEs 115) may have a hardware configuration that supportscommunications over a particular carrier bandwidth, or may beconfigurable to support communications over one of a set of carrierbandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 mayinclude network devices 105 or UEs 115 that can support simultaneouscommunications via carriers associated with more than one differentcarrier bandwidth.

Wireless communications system 100 may support communication with a UE115 on multiple cells or carriers, a feature which may be referred to asCA configuration or multi-carrier operation. A UE 115 may be configuredwith multiple downlink CCs and one or more uplink CCs according to a CAconfiguration. CA may be used with both FDD and TDD CCs.

In some cases, wireless communications system 100 may utilize enhancedCCs (eCCs). An eCC may be characterized by one or more featuresincluding wider carrier or frequency channel bandwidth, shorter symbolduration, shorter TTI duration, or modified control channelconfiguration. In some cases, an eCC may be associated with a CAconfiguration or a dual connectivity configuration (e.g., when multipleserving cells have a suboptimal or non-ideal backhaul link). An eCC mayalso be configured for use in unlicensed spectrum or shared spectrum(e.g., where more than one operator is allowed to use the spectrum). AneCC characterized by wide carrier bandwidth may include one or moresegments that may be utilized by UEs 115 that are not capable ofmonitoring the whole carrier bandwidth or are otherwise configured touse a limited carrier bandwidth (e.g., to conserve power).

In some cases, an eCC may utilize a different symbol duration than otherCCs, which may include use of a reduced symbol duration as compared withsymbol durations of the other CCs. A shorter symbol duration may beassociated with increased spacing between adjacent subcarriers. Adevice, such as a UE 115 or network device 105, utilizing eCCs maytransmit wideband signals (e.g., according to frequency channel orcarrier bandwidths of 20, 40, 60, 80 MHz, etc.) at reduced symboldurations (e.g., 16.67 microseconds). A TTI in eCC may consist of one ormultiple symbol periods. In some cases, the TTI duration (that is, thenumber of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable.

Wireless communications systems such as an NR system may utilize anycombination of licensed, shared, and unlicensed spectrum bands, amongothers. The flexibility of eCC symbol duration and subcarrier spacingmay allow for the use of eCC across multiple spectrums. In someexamples, NR shared spectrum may increase spectrum utilization andspectral efficiency, specifically through dynamic vertical (e.g., acrossthe frequency domain) and horizontal (e.g., across the time domain)sharing of resources.

In some cases, a UE 115 may have multiple antenna arrays for wirelesscommunication between the UE 115 and other wireless devices (e.g., anetwork device 105). Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 mayinclude a foldable display with multiple foldable display units. In somecases, the foldable display may be a rollable or extendable display.Currently, there is no mechanism in place for the UE 115 to indicate toother wireless devices configurations of the multiple antenna arrays ormultiple foldable display units. Indicating these configurations mayallow the UE to flexibly perform beamforming communications with otherwireless devices based on the configurations.

A UE 115 may include a communications manager 101 for managing wirelesscommunications with other wireless devices. Communications manager 101may allow the UE 115 to determine antenna array informationcorresponding to the configuration of the multiple antenna arrays.Additionally or alternatively, communications manager 101 may allow theUE 115 to determine foldable state capability information correspondingto the configuration of the multiple foldable display units. UE 115 maytransmit the antenna array information or the foldable state capabilityinformation to other wireless devices via communications manager 101. UE115 may perform beamforming communications with other wireless devicesvia communications manager 101 based on the antenna array information orthe foldable state capability information.

A network device 105 may include a communications manager 102 formanaging wireless communications with other wireless devices.Communications manager 102 may allow the network device 105 to receivefrom the UE 115 antenna array information corresponding to theconfiguration of the multiple antenna arrays of the UE 115. Additionallyor alternatively, communications manager 102 may allow the networkdevice 105 to receive from the UE 115 foldable state capabilityinformation corresponding to the configuration of the multiple foldabledisplay units of the UE 115. Network device 105 may determine, viacommunications manager 102, a beamforming parameter for beamformingcommunications based on the received antenna array information or thereceived foldable state capability information. Network device 105 mayperform beamforming communications with UE 115 via communicationsmanager 102 based on the beamforming parameter.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 200that supports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In someexamples, wireless communication system 200 may implement aspects ofwireless communications system 100. As shown, wireless communicationssystem 200 includes UE 115-a and base station 105-d, which may berespective examples of a UE 115 and a network device 105 as describedherein. In some examples, UE 115-a may employ beamforming techniques forcommunications with the base station 105-d (e.g., to facilitate datatransfer with a high data rate). Additionally or alternatively, UE 115-amay communicate with base station 105-d using frequencies greater than24 GHz. UE 115-a may communicate with base station 105-d overcommunication links 125-a and 125-b, which may be examples ofcommunication links 125 as described herein.

In some aspects, UE 115-a may be a device having a foldable display 203.In some cases, foldable display 203 may be a rollable or extendabledisplay. Additionally or alternatively, foldable display 203 may includeone or multiple independent foldable units 205. The one or moreindependent foldable units 205 may allow the UE 115-a to operate in avariety of form factors based on a configuration of the foldable units205. In some examples, the form factors may include a mobile phone, atablet, a book, a laptop computer, a large display such as an extendedreality (XR) device, or the like. The one or more foldable units 205 mayalso include multiple foldable units.

One or more antenna arrays 210 may be positioned in various locationsabout UE 115-a to allow flexible beamforming communication. UE 115-a mayconfigure the one or more antenna arrays 210 into configured antennasets 215, which may operate as an independent antenna module.Alternatively, each antenna array 210 or each antenna element 220 ofeach antenna array 210 may be configured individually for beamformingcommunications. In some examples, the number of configured antenna sets215 may be based on a configuration of the foldable units 205.

UE 115-a may determine a foldable state of UE 115-a based on theconfiguration of foldable units 205 and may adjust a type or nature ofbeamforming communication based on the foldable state of UE 115-a. Insome examples, the UE 115-a may adjust the number of configured antennasets 215, which of the one or more antenna arrays 210 are included ineach of the configured antenna sets 215, or a number of active antennaarrays 210 or antenna elements 220. In some examples, the UE 115-a mayadjust codebooks associated with the beamforming communication, a numberof beams associated with the beamforming communication, a beamwidth of abeam associated with the beamforming communication, hierarchies in thebeamforming communication, among others.

In some examples, each of the one or more antenna arrays 210 may beassociated with a respective foldable unit 205. For example, antennaarray 210-a may be positioned on or within foldable unit 205-a, whileantenna arrays 210-b and 210-c may be position on or within foldableunit 205-b. Each of the one or more antenna arrays 210 may be configuredas a receive or transmit antenna array. In some cases, the one or moreantenna arrays 210 of each configured antenna set 215 may point in thesame direction. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more antennaarrays 210 of each configured antenna set 215 may be co-phased.

In some examples, the foldable display 203 may include two independentlyfoldable units 205. UE 115-a may determine angle information associatedwith the two foldable units 205. UE 115-a may determine the angleinformation based on an angle separation between two antenna arrays 210where each of the two antenna arrays is associated with a differentindependently foldable unit 205. The angle separation may have a value φbetween 0° and 180°. UE 115-a may perform beamforming communications viaa number of configured antenna sets 215, where the number of configuredantenna sets may be based on the angle separation between antennaarrays. In some examples, such as when the angle separation has a valueφ other than 0°, 90°, or 180°, UE 115-a may perform beamformingcommunication via a first number of configured antenna sets 215 (e.g., 4configured antenna sets 215) across different parts of UE 115-a. Thismay be referred to as angle separation.

UE 115-a may transmit foldable state capability information based on thefoldable state of UE 115-a. UE 115-a may transmit the foldable statecapability information to base station 105-d over communication link125-b. UE 115-a may transmit the foldable state capability informationin a beamformed signal via a configured antenna set 215 of transmitantenna arrays. In some examples, UE 115-a may transmit the foldablestate capability information in a UE capability message. The foldablestate capability information may include one or more of: a number ofindependent foldable units 205 that make up the UE 115-a, the number ofconfigured antenna sets 215, a number of antenna arrays 210 or antennaelements 220 that make up each configured antenna set 215, relativeangles between the configured antenna sets 215 in the foldable state,state information based on the foldable state of UE 115-a, feedbackindicating one or more of the configured antenna sets 215 may be blocked(e.g., by a hand, a body, a vehicle, buildings, based on the deviceconfiguration, etc.), or other foldable state capability information. Insome cases, the relative angles between the configured antenna sets 215may be based on angle information obtained from internal sensors (e.g.,gyros). The state information may include a type of the foldable stateof UE 115-a. Some examples of the type of the foldable state may includethe unfolded state, a small form factor construction, a large formfactor construction, and other types of the foldable state. In someexamples, the state information may be quantized to include a number ofsupported foldable states. In some cases, the quantized states mayinclude a folded state, a flat state, one or more partially open states,and a fully open state.

Base station 105-d may receive the foldable state capability informationbased on the foldable state of UE 115-a. Base station 105-d maydetermine a beamforming parameter for beamforming communications with UE115-a based on the received foldable state capability information. Basestation 105-d may adapt signaling based on the beamforming parameter. Insome cases, base station 105-d may selectively train the configuredantenna sets 215, which may speed up a beam training process.

In some examples, base station 105-d may determine a periodicity for aset of reference signals of a beam training process for UE 115-a. Basestation 105-d may transmit an indication of the periodicity for the setof reference signals of the beam training process to UE 115-a overcommunication link 125-a. Base station 105-d may transmit the indicationof the periodicity via a downlink control channel. In some examples,base station 105-d may increase or decrease the periodicity of the setof reference signals with respect to a current or previous periodicityof the set of reference signals. In some examples, base station 105-dmay increase or decrease the periodicity of the set of reference signalsbased on the received foldable state capability information. Basestation 105-d may increase or decrease the periodicity based on thenumber of configured antenna sets 215, or the number of antenna arrays210 that make up each configured antenna set 215, identified in thereceived foldable state capability information. In some cases, the setof reference signals may include a set of CSI-RSs. In some examples,base station 105-d may decrease the periodicity of CSI-RS transmissions(e.g., more frequent CSI-RS transmissions) when the foldable statecapability information indicates a larger number of antenna arrays 210contained in one or more of the configured antenna sets 215. Thedecreased periodicity of CSI-RS transmissions may accommodate anincreased number of beams in a codebook, which may correspond to bettertransmission gains.

In some examples, base station 105-d may suggest one or more beamchoices to UE 115-a based on the received foldable state capabilityinformation. Base station 105-d may form a long term statistical map ofa channel based on the received information from the UE such as beamindices, reference signal received power (RSRP) levels, among others.Base station 105-d may suggest the one or more beam choices to UE 115-abased on the relative angles between the configured antenna sets 215contained in the received foldable state capability information and thelong term statistical map of the channel. In some examples, thesuggested beam choices may be oriented in specific directions towarddominant clusters of the configured antenna sets 215. In some cases, thesuggested beam choices may include a set of beam indices. Additionallyor alternatively, the suggested beam choices may be based on a RSRPmeasurement. Additionally or alternatively, the suggested beam choicesmay be based on a prior beam training session. If the foldable statecapability information indicates a different number (e.g., a largernumber) of antenna arrays 210 contained in one or more of the configuredantenna sets 215 with respect to the prior beam training session, basestation 105-d may suggest appropriate (e.g., reduced) beamwidths to UE115-a based on channel statistical properties as part of the suggestedbeam choices. In some examples, base station 105-d may adjust beamwidthsused at its end to capture cluster gains based on the appropriatebeamwidths suggested to UE 115-a. Additionally or alternatively, basestation 105-d may determine a transmit power or effective isotropicradiated power (EIRP) for at least one beam for beamformingcommunications with UE 115-a. Base station 105-d may adjust the transmitpower for a set of beams beamforming communications with UE 115-a basedon the received foldable state capability information. Base station105-d may see increased array gains based on the one or more antennaarrays 210 of each configured antenna set 215 pointing in the samedirection or being co-phased.

UE 115-a may receive signaling from base station 105-d based on thetransmitted foldable state capability information. UE 115-a may receivethe signaling from base station 105-d over communication link 125-a. UE115-a may receive the signaling in a beamformed signal via a configuredantenna set 215 of receive antenna arrays. UE 115-a may adjust or refinebeamforming communications based on the received signaling. In somecases, UE 115-a may adjust or refine beamforming communications bymodifying one or more of: a number of antenna elements 220 used, anumber of antenna arrays 210 used, a transmit power for at least onebeam, a beam index, and a beamwidth.

In some cases, UE 115-a may include a non-foldable display and mayinclude multiple antenna arrays 210. In such instances, UE 115-a mayidentify antenna array information for one or more antenna arrays 210.UE 115-a may transmit antenna array information (e.g., number of activeantenna arrays 210, angle between antenna arrays 210) to base station105-d over communication link 125-b. In some examples, UE 115-a mayidentify a set of active antenna arrays 210 for beamformingcommunication with base station 105-d. UE 115-a may transmit anindication of the set of active arrays 210 to base station 105-d overcommunication link 125-b. UE 115-a may perform a beamformingcommunication with base station 105-d based on the transmitted antennaarray information.

Base station 105-d may receive the antenna array information from UE115-a over communication link 125-b. Base station 105-d may determine abeamforming parameter based on the received antenna array information.Base station 105-d may perform a beamforming communication with UE 115-abased on the determined beamforming parameter. In some cases, basestation 105-d may identify the set of active antenna arrays 210 based onthe received antenna array information. Additionally or alternatively,base station 105-d may determine the beamforming parameter based on theset of active antenna arrays 210.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a device configuration 300 thatsupports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In someexamples, device configuration 300 may implement aspects of wirelesscommunications systems 100 or 200. Device configuration 300 may be aconfiguration of a UE 115 as described herein.

UE 115 may include a foldable display with foldable units 205-c and205-d. Antenna arrays 210-d and 210-e may be associated with foldableunit 205-c, and antenna arrays 210-f and 210-g may be associated withfoldable unit 205-d. UE 115 may include additional antenna arrays 210(not shown), including one or more antenna arrays 210 that may beblocked or otherwise unable to transmit or receive based on the deviceconfiguration of UE 115. Each of antenna arrays 210-d, 210-e, 210-f, and210-g may be a receive antenna array, a transmit antenna array, or both.Foldable units 205-c and 205-d may be associated with angle information305. In some examples, UE 115 may identify the angle information 305based on an angle separation 310, which may identify the angleseparation between antenna arrays 210-d and 210-g or between antennaarrays 210-e and 210-f. Additionally or alternatively, UE 115 mayidentify the angle information 305 based on relative positioninginformation from one or more sensors of UE 115 with respect to areference direction. The angle separation 310 may have a value φ=90°. UE115 may determine that UE 115 is in a partially open state based on theangle separation 310.

UE 115 may configure antenna arrays 210-d, 210-e, 210-f, and 210-g intoconfigured antenna sets 215-a and 215-b. UE 115 may perform beamformingcommunication via configured antenna sets 215-a and 215-b. Configuredantenna set 215-a may include antenna arrays 210-d and 210-f, andconfigured antenna set 215-b may include antenna arrays 210-e and 210-e.In some cases, antenna arrays 210-d and 210-f may point in a firstdirection, and antenna arrays 210-e and 210-g may point in a seconddirection. Additionally or alternatively, antenna arrays 210-d and 210-fmay be co-phased, and antenna arrays 210-e and 210-g may be co-phased.

UE 115 may transmit foldable state capability information to basestation 105 based on determining that UE 115 is in an open or partiallyopen state. UE 115 may transmit the foldable state capabilityinformation in a beamformed signal via one or more of configured antennasets 215-a and 215-b. In some examples, UE 115 may transmit the foldablestate capability information in a UE capability message. In some cases,the foldable state capability information may include feedbackindicating one or more of the configured antenna sets 215 may be blockedbased on the device configuration of UE 115.

UE 115 may receive signaling from base station 105 based on thetransmitted foldable state capability information. UE 115 may receivethe signaling in a beamformed signal via one or more of configuredantenna sets 215-a and 215-b. UE 115 may adjust or refine thebeamforming communication based on the received signaling. In somecases, UE 115 may adjust or refine beamforming communications bymodifying one or more of: a number of antenna elements 220 used, anumber of antenna arrays 210 used, a transmit power for at least onebeam, a beam index, and a beamwidth.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a device configuration 400 thatsupports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In someexamples, device configuration 400 may implement aspects of wirelesscommunications systems 100 or 200. Device configuration 400 may be aconfiguration of a UE 115 as described herein.

UE 115 may include a foldable display with foldable units 205-e and205-f. Antenna array 210-h may be associated with foldable unit 205-e,and antenna array 210-i may be associated with foldable unit 205-f. UE115 may include additional antenna arrays 210 (not shown), including oneor more antenna arrays 210 that may be blocked or otherwise unable totransmit or received based on the device configuration of UE 115. Eachof antenna arrays 210-h and 210-i may be a receive antenna array, atransmit antenna array, or both. Foldable units 205-e and 205-f may beassociated with angle information 405. UE 115 may identify the angleinformation 405 based on an angle separation 410, which may identify theangle separation between antenna arrays 210-h and 210-i. Additionally oralternatively, UE 115 may identify the angle information 405 based onrelative positioning information from one or more sensors of UE 115 withrespect to a reference direction. The angle separation 410 may have avalue φ=180°. UE 115 may determine that UE 115 is in the flat statebased on the angle separation 410.

UE 115 may configure antenna arrays 210-h and 210-i into configuredantenna set 215-c. UE 115 may perform beamforming communication viaconfigured antenna set 215-c. In some cases, antenna arrays 210-h and210-i may point in the same direction. Additionally or alternatively,antenna arrays 210-h and 210-i may be co-phased.

UE 115 may transmit foldable state capability information to basestation 105 based on determining that UE 115 is in the flat state. UE115 may transmit the foldable state capability information in abeamformed signal via configured antenna set 215-c. In some examples, UE115 may transmit the foldable state capability information in a UEcapability message. In some cases, the foldable state capabilityinformation may include feedback indicating one or more of theconfigured antenna sets 215 may be blocked based on the deviceconfiguration of UE 115.

UE 115 may receive signaling from base station 105 based on thetransmitted foldable state capability information. UE 115 may receivethe signaling in a beamformed signal via configured antenna set 215-c.UE 115 may adjust or refine the beamforming communication based on thereceived signaling.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a device configuration 500 thatsupports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In someexamples, device configuration 500 may implement aspects of wirelesscommunications systems 100 or 200. Device configuration 500 may be aconfiguration of a UE 115 as described herein.

UE 115 may include a foldable display with foldable units 205-g and205-h. Antenna arrays 210-j and 210-k may be associated with foldableunit 205-g, and antenna array 210-1 may be associated with foldable unit205-h. UE 115 may include additional antenna arrays 210 (not shown),including one or more antenna arrays 210 that may be blocked orotherwise unable to transmit or receive based on the deviceconfiguration of UE 115. Each of antenna arrays 210-j, 210-k, and 210-1may be a receive antenna array, a transmit antenna array, or both.Foldable units 205-g and 205-h may be associated with angle information505. UE 115 may identify the angle information 505 based on an angleseparation 510, which may identify the angle separation between antennaarrays 210-k and 210-1. Additionally or alternatively, UE 115 mayidentify the angle information 505 based on relative positioninginformation from one or more sensors of UE 115 with respect to areference direction. The angle separation 510 may have a value φ=0°. UE115 may determine that UE 115 is in the folded state based on the angleseparation 510.

UE 115 may configure antenna arrays 210-j, 210-k, and 210-1 intoconfigured antenna sets 215-d and 215-e. UE 115 may perform beamformingcommunication via configured antenna sets 215-d and 215-e. Configuredantenna set 215-d may include antenna array 210-j, and configuredantenna set 215-e may include antenna arrays 210-k and 210-1. In somecases, antenna array 210-j may point in a first direction, and antennaarrays 210-k and 210-1 may point in a second direction. Additionally oralternatively, antenna arrays 210-k and 210-1 may be co-phased.

UE 115 may transmit foldable state capability information to basestation 105 based on determining that UE 115 is in the folded state. UE115 may transmit the foldable state capability information in abeamformed signal via one or more of configured antenna sets 215-d and215-e. In some examples, UE 115 may transmit the foldable statecapability information in a UE capability message. In some cases, thefoldable state capability information may include feedback indicatingone or more of the configured antenna sets 215 may be blocked based onthe device configuration of UE 115.

UE 115 may receive signaling from base station 105 based on thetransmitted foldable state capability information. UE 115 may receivethe signaling in a beamformed signal via one or more of configuredantenna sets 215-d and 215-e. UE 115 may adjust or refine thebeamforming communication based on the received signaling.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a device configuration 600 thatsupports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In someexamples, device configuration 600 may implement aspects of wirelesscommunications systems 100 or 200. Device configuration 600 may be aconfiguration of a UE 115 as described herein.

UE 115 may include a foldable display with foldable units 205-i, 205-j,and 205-k. Antenna array 210-n may be associated with foldable unit205-i, antenna arrays 210-o, 210-p and 210-q may be associated withfoldable unit 205-j, and antenna arrays 210-r and 210-s may beassociated with foldable unit 205-k. UE 115 may include additionalantenna arrays 210 (not shown), including one or more antenna arrays 210that may be blocked or otherwise unable to transmit or receive based onthe device configuration of UE 115. Each of antenna arrays 210-n, 210-o,210-p, 210-q, 210-r, and 210-s may be a receive antenna array, atransmit antenna array, or both. Foldable units 205-i and 205-j may beassociated with angle information 605, and foldable units 205-j and205-k may be associated with angle information 610. UE 115 may identifythe angle information 605 based on an angle separation 615, which mayidentify the angle separation between antenna arrays 210-n and 210-o. UE115 may identify the angle information 610 based on an angle separation620, which may identify the angle separation between antenna arrays210-p and 210-s or between antenna arrays 210-q and 210-r. Additionallyor alternatively, UE 115 may identify the angle information 605 and theangle information 610 based on relative positioning information from oneor more sensors of UE 115 with respect to a reference direction. UE 115may determine a foldable state of UE 115 based on the angle separations615 and 620.

UE 115 may configure antenna arrays 210-n, 210-o, 210-p, 210-q, 210-r,and 210-s into configured antenna sets 215-f and 215-g. UE 115 mayperform beamforming communication via configured antenna sets 215-f and215-g. Configured antenna set 215-f may include antenna arrays 210-n,210-o, 210-p, and 210-r, and configured antenna set 215-g may includeantenna arrays 210-q and 210-s. In some cases, antenna arrays 210-n,210-o, 210-p, and 210-r may point in a first direction, and antennaarrays 210-q and 210-s may point in a second direction. Additionally oralternatively, antenna arrays 210-n, 210-o, 210-p, and 210-r may beco-phased, and antenna arrays 210-q and 210-s may be co-phased.

UE 115 may transmit foldable state capability information to basestation 105 based on determining the foldable state of UE 115. UE 115may transmit the foldable state capability information in a beamformedsignal via one or more of configured antenna sets 215-f and 215-g. Insome examples, UE 115 may transmit the foldable state capabilityinformation in a UE capability message. In some cases, the foldablestate capability information may include feedback indicating one or moreof the configured antenna sets 215 may be blocked based on the deviceconfiguration of UE 115.

UE 115 may receive signaling from base station 105 based on thetransmitted foldable state capability information. UE 115 may receivethe signaling in a beamformed signal via one or more of configuredantenna sets 215-f and 215-g. UE 115 may adjust or refine thebeamforming communication based on the received signaling.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a device configuration 700 thatsupports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In someexamples, device configuration 700 may implement aspects of wirelesscommunications systems 100 or 200. Device configuration 700 may be aconfiguration of a UE 115 as described herein and may have a variety ofdifferent form factors (e.g., mobile form factor 705, intermediate formfactor 710, extended form factor 715).

A UE 115 may include a foldable display 203-a with foldable unit 205-1.Foldable display 203-a may be a rollable or extendable display. Antennaarray 210-t may be associated with foldable unit 205-1. In someexamples, UE 115 may include multiple antenna arrays 210, including oneor more antenna arrays 210 that may be blocked or otherwise unable totransmit or receive based on the configuration (e.g., form factor) of UE115. Antenna array 210-t may be a receive antenna array, a transmitantenna array, or both. Antenna array 210-t may include multiple antennaelements such as antenna elements 220-c, 220-d, and 220-e and the UE 115may configure antenna array 210-t (or one or more of antenna elements220-c, 220-d, and 220-e) into a configured antenna set 215-h (ormultiple antenna sets).

In some cases, UE 115 may identify antenna array informationcorresponding to antenna array 210-t. UE 115 may additionally identify aset of active antenna arrays 210 or antenna elements 220 for beamformingcommunications.

According to some aspects, UE 115 may determine a form factor offoldable unit 205-1. Foldable unit 205-1 may have a mobile form factor705 (e.g., an unextended or unrolled form factor), or an intermediateform factor 710, or an extended (e.g., tablet) form factor 715. In somecases, UE 115 may identify the set of active antenna arrays 210 orantenna elements 220 based on the determined form factor. For example,if UE 115 determines foldable unit 205-1 has mobile form factor 705, UE115 may include antenna element 220-c in the set of active antennaelements 220. Additionally or alternatively, if UE 115 determinesfoldable unit 205-1 has intermediate form factor 710, UE 115 may includeantenna elements 220-c and 220-d in the set of active antenna elements220. Additionally or alternatively, if UE 115 determines foldable unit205-1 has tablet form factor 715, UE 115 may include antenna elements220-c, 220-d, and 220-e in the set of active antenna elements 220. Asthe form factor size is reduced, one or more antenna elements 220 mayoverlap or be blocked. UE 115 may determine the overlapped or blockedantenna elements 220 are in an inactive mode. UE 115 may transmit anindication of the set of active antenna arrays 210 or antenna elements220 in the antenna array information.

UE 115 may determine a foldable state of UE 115 based on the form factorof foldable unit 205-1. UE 115 may transmit foldable state capabilityinformation to base station 105 based on determining the foldable stateof UE 115. UE 115 may transmit the foldable state capability informationin a beamformed signal via configured antenna set 215-h. In someexamples, UE 115 may transmit the foldable state capability informationin a UE capability message. In some cases, the foldable state capabilityinformation may include feedback indicating one or more configuredantenna sets 215 may be blocked based on the device configuration or theform factor of UE 115.

UE 115 may receive signaling from base station 105 based on thetransmitted foldable state capability information. UE 115 may receivethe signaling in a beamformed signal via configured antenna set 215-h.UE 115 may adjust or refine the beamforming communication based on thereceived signaling. UE 115 may communicate (e.g., with a base station105) based on the refined or adjusted beamforming.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a device configuration 800 thatsupports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In someexamples, device configuration 800 may implement aspects of wirelesscommunications systems 100 or 200. Device configuration 800 may be aconfiguration of a UE 115 as described herein and may have a variety ofdifferent form factors (e.g., mobile form factor 805, wearable formfactor 810).

A UE 115 may include a foldable display 203-b with foldable unit 205-m.Foldable display 203-b may be a rollable or extendable display. The UE115 may include an antenna array 210-u having one or more antennaelements such as antenna elements 220-f and 220-g. In some examples, UE115 may include multiple antenna arrays 210, including one or moreantenna arrays 210 that may be blocked or otherwise unable to transmitor receive based on the configuration (e.g., form factor) of UE 115.Antenna array 210-u may be a receive antenna array, a transmit antennaarray, or both.

UE 115 may configure antenna array 210-u (or one or more of antennaelements 220-f and 220-g) into configured antenna sets 215-i, 215-j, and215-k. UE 115 may perform beamforming communications via one or moreconfigured antenna sets 215-i, 215-j, 215-k, each having one or moreantenna elements such as antenna elements 220-f and 220-g. In somecases, antenna set 215-i may point in a first direction, antenna set215-j may point in a second direction, and antenna set 215-k may pointin a third direction.

UE 115 may identify antenna array information corresponding to antennasets 215-i, 215-j, and 215-k. UE 115 may additionally identify a set ofactive antenna arrays 210 or antenna elements 220 for beamformingcommunications.

UE 115 may determine a form factor of foldable unit 205-m. Foldable unit205-m may have a mobile form factor 805, or a wearable form factor 810.UE 115 may identify the set of active antenna arrays 210, configuredantenna sets, or antenna elements 220 based on the determined formfactor. For example, if UE 115 determines foldable unit 205-m has mobileform factor 805, UE 115 may include antenna set 215-i in the set ofactive antenna arrays 210. Additionally or alternatively, if UE 115determines foldable unit 205-m has wearable form factor 810, UE 115 mayinclude antenna sets 215-j and 215-k in the set of active antenna arrays210. UE 115 may transmit an indication of the set of active antennaarrays 210, antenna sets 215, or antenna elements 220 in the antennaarray information.

As foldable unit 205-m is rolled in a wearable shape, UE 115 mayidentify angle information based on an angle separation 815, which mayidentify the angle separation between antenna sets 215-j and 215-k.Additionally or alternatively, UE 115 may identify the angle informationbased on relative positioning information from one or more sensors of UE115 with respect to a reference direction. UE 115 may determine the formfactor of UE 115 based on the angle separation 815.

UE 115 may determine a foldable state of UE 115 based on the form factorof foldable unit 205-m. UE 115 may transmit foldable state capabilityinformation to base station 105 based on determining the foldable stateof UE 115. UE 115 may transmit the foldable state capability informationin a beamformed signal via one or more of configured antenna sets 215-i,215-j, and 215-k. In some examples, UE 115 may transmit the foldablestate capability information in a UE capability message. In some cases,the foldable state capability information may include feedbackindicating one or more configured antenna sets 215 may be blocked basedon the device configuration or the form factor of UE 115.

UE 115 may receive signaling from base station 105 based on thetransmitted foldable state capability information. UE 115 may receivethe signaling in a beamformed signal via one or more of configuredantenna sets 215-i, 215-j, and 215-k. UE 115 may adjust or refine thebeamforming communication based on the received signaling. UE 115 maycommunicate (e.g., with a base station 105) based on the refined oradjusted beamforming.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a process flow 900 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, processflow 900 may implement aspects of wireless communications systems 100 or200. Process flow 900 includes UE 115-b and base station 105-e, whichmay be respective examples of a UE 115 and a network device 105 asdescribed herein.

At 905, UE 115-b may identify foldable state capability information ofUE 115-b. The foldable state capability information may correspond toone or more foldable units. In some examples, UE 115-b may determine anumber of independently foldable units of the one or more foldable unitsof UE 115-b. In some examples, UE 115-b may determine angle informationassociated with the one or more foldable units. In some cases,determining the angle information may include UE 115-b identifying anangle separation between a first antenna array of a first foldable unitof the one or more foldable units and a second antenna array of a secondfoldable unit of the one or more foldable units. In some cases,determining the angle information may include UE 115-b obtainingpositioning information from one or more sensors of UE 115-b. UE 115-bmay determine an angle between two or more antenna arrays of the one ormore foldable units based on the positioning information. In someexamples, UE 115-b may determine a foldable state of UE 115-b based onthe one or more foldable units. In some cases, the foldable state of UE115-b may include a single quantized state of a set of quantized statesassociated with UE 115-b. Additionally or alternatively, the foldablestate of UE 115-b may include one of a folded state, one or morepartially open states, a fully open state, or a flat state. Additionallyor alternatively, the foldable state of UE 115-b may be associated witha 0 degree angle, a 90 degree angle, a 180 degree angle, or anintermediate angle between two or more of the one or more foldableunits.

At 910, UE 115-b may transmit, and base station 105-e may receive, anindication of the foldable state capability information. In some cases,UE 115-b may transmit, and base station 105-e may receive, the number ofindependently foldable units in the foldable state capabilityinformation. In some cases, UE 115-b may transmit, and base station105-e may receive, the angle information associated with the one or morefoldable units in the foldable state capability information. In somecases, UE 115-b may transmit, and base station 105-e may receive, anindication of the foldable state in the foldable state capabilityinformation.

At 915, base station 105-e may determine a beamforming parameter forbeamforming communications with UE 115-b based on the foldable statecapability information.

In some examples, base station 105-e may determine a periodicity for aset of reference signals of a beam training process for UE 115-b.Additionally or alternatively, base station 105-e may increase ordecrease the periodicity of the set of reference signals with respect toa current or previous periodicity of the set of reference signals. Theset of reference signal may include a set of CSI-RSs. Base station 105-emay transmit an indication of the periodicity for the set of referencesignals of the beam training process to UE 115-b. In some examples, basestation 105-e may transmit the indication of the periodicity to UE 115-bvia a downlink control channel.

In some examples, base station 105-e may determine one or more of: a setof beam indices for beamforming communications with UE 115-b, abeamwidth for beamforming communications with UE 115-b, a transmit powerfor at least one beam for beamforming communications with UE 115-b, andrespective transmit powers for each of a set of beams for beamformingcommunications with UE 115-b. In some examples, base station 105-e maytransmit to UE 115-b one or more of an indication of the set of beamindices and an indication of the beamwidth.

At 920, UE 115-b and base station 105-e may perform a beamformingcommunication with one another based on the foldable state capabilityinformation and the beamforming parameter. In some examples, thebeamforming communication may include the indication of the foldablestate capability information in a UE capability message. In someexamples, UE 115-b may configure a set of receive antenna arrays basedon the foldable state capability information. UE 115-b may receive abeamformed signal from base station 105-e via the configured antenna setof receive antenna arrays. In some examples, UE 115-b may configure aset of transmit antenna arrays based on the foldable state capabilityinformation. UE 115-b may transmit a beamformed signal to base station105-e via the configured antenna set of transmit antenna arrays. In someexamples, base station 105-e may transmit the beamforming communicationto UE 115-b via the at least one beam in accordance with the transmitpower.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a process flow 1000 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, processflow 1000 may implement aspects of wireless communications systems 100or 200. Process flow 1000 includes UE 115-c and base station 105-f,which may be respective examples of a UE 115 and a network device 105 asdescribed herein.

At 1005, UE 115-c may identify antenna array information of UE 115-c,the antenna array information corresponding to multiple antenna arrays.In some examples, UE 115-c may identify a set of active antenna arraysfor beamforming communications with base station 105-f.

At 1010, UE 115-c may transmit, and base station 105-f may receive, anindication of the antenna array information. In some examples, UE 115-cmay transmit, and base station 105-f may receive, an indication of theset of active antenna arrays in the antenna array information.

At 1015, base station 105-f may determine a beamforming parameter forbeamforming communications with UE 115-c based on the antenna arrayinformation. In some examples, base station 105-f may identify the setof active antenna arrays of UE 115-c for beamforming communicationsbased on the antenna array information. Base station 105-f may determinethe beamforming parameter based on the set of active antenna arrays.

At 1020, UE 115-c and base station 105-f may perform a beamformingcommunication with one another based on the antenna array informationand the beamforming parameter.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1105 may be anexample of aspects of a UE as described herein. The device 1105 mayinclude a receiver 1110, a communications manager 1115, and atransmitter 1120. The device 1105 may also include a processor. Each ofthese components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via oneor more buses).

The receiver 1110 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to flexiblebeamforming techniques for wireless devices, etc.). Information may bepassed on to other components of the device 1105. The receiver 1110 maybe an example of aspects of the transceiver 1220 described withreference to FIG. 12. The receiver 1110 may utilize a single antenna ora set of antennas.

The communications manager 1115 may identify foldable state capabilityinformation of the UE, the foldable state capability informationcorresponding to a state of the one or more foldable units, transmit anindication of the foldable state capability information to a basestation in communications with the UE, and perform a beamformingcommunication between the base station and the UE based on the foldablestate capability information.

The communications manager 1115 may also identify antenna arrayinformation of the UE, the antenna array information corresponding tothe multiple antenna arrays, transmit an indication of the antenna arrayinformation to a base station in communication with the UE, and performa beamforming communication with the base station based on the antennaarray information. The communications manager 1115 may be an example ofaspects of the communications manager 1210 described herein.

The communications manager 1115, or its sub-components, may beimplemented in hardware, code (e.g., software or firmware) executed by aprocessor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executedby a processor, the functions of the communications manager 1115, or itssub-components may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a digitalsignal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmablelogic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed in the present disclosure.

The communications manager 1115, or its sub-components, may bephysically located at various positions, including being distributedsuch that portions of functions are implemented at different physicallocations by one or more physical components. In some examples, thecommunications manager 1115, or its sub-components, may be a separateand distinct component in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. In some examples, the communications manager 1115, or itssub-components, may be combined with one or more other hardwarecomponents, including but not limited to an input/output (I/O)component, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device,one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or acombination thereof in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure.

The transmitter 1120 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 1105. In some examples, the transmitter 1120 may becollocated with a receiver 1110 in a transceiver module. For example,the transmitter 1120 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1220 described with reference to FIG. 12. The transmitter 1120 mayutilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram 1200 of a device 1205 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1205 may be anexample of aspects of a device 1105, or a UE as described herein. Thedevice 1205 may include a receiver 1210, a communications manager 1215,and a transmitter 1250. The device 1205 may also include a processor.Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g.,via one or more buses).

The receiver 1210 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to flexiblebeamforming techniques for wireless devices, etc.). Information may bepassed on to other components of the device 1205. The receiver 1210 maybe an example of aspects of the transceiver 1220 described withreference to FIG. 12. The receiver 1210 may utilize a single antenna ora set of antennas.

The communications manager 1215 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 1115 as described herein. The communicationsmanager 1215 may include a capability identifier 1220, an indicationtransmitter 1225, a beamforming component 1230, an array informationcomponent 1235, an array transmitter 1240, and a communicationscomponent 1245. The communications manager 1215 may be an example ofaspects of the communications manager 1210 described herein.

The capability identifier 1220 may identify foldable state capabilityinformation of the UE, the foldable state capability informationcorresponding to a state of the one or more foldable units. Theindication transmitter 1225 may transmit an indication of the foldablestate capability information to a base station in communications withthe UE. The beamforming component 1230 may perform a beamformingcommunication between the base station and the UE based on the foldablestate capability information. The array information component 1235 mayidentify antenna array information of the UE, the antenna arrayinformation corresponding to the multiple antenna arrays. The arraytransmitter 1240 may transmit an indication of the antenna arrayinformation to a base station in communication with the UE. Thecommunications component 1245 may perform a beamforming communicationwith the base station based on the antenna array information. Thetransmitter 1250 may transmit signals generated by other components ofthe device 1205. In some examples, the transmitter 1250 may becollocated with a receiver 1210 in a transceiver module. For example,the transmitter 1250 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1220 described with reference to FIG. 12. The transmitter 1250 mayutilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram 1300 of a communications manager 1305 thatsupports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Thecommunications manager 1305 may be an example of aspects of acommunications manager 1115, a communications manager 1215, or acommunications manager 1210 described herein. The communications manager1305 may include a capability identifier 1310, an indication transmitter1315, a beamforming component 1320, an angle manager 1325, an adjustmentmanager 1330, a foldable state manager 1335, a configuration component1340, an array information component 1345, an array transmitter 1350,and a communications component 1355. Each of these modules maycommunicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one ormore buses).

The capability identifier 1310 may identify foldable state capabilityinformation of the UE, the foldable state capability informationcorresponding to a state of the one or more foldable units. In someexamples, the capability identifier 1310 may determine a number ofindependently foldable units of the one or more foldable units of theUE.

The indication transmitter 1315 may transmit an indication of thefoldable state capability information to a base station incommunications with the UE. In some examples, the indication transmitter1315 may transmit the number of the independently foldable units in thefoldable state capability information to the base station. In somecases, the indication transmitter 1315 may transmit the angleinformation associated with the one or more foldable units in thefoldable state capability information. In some aspects, the indicationtransmitter 1315 may transmit an indication of the foldable state in thefoldable state capability information. In some instances, the indicationtransmitter 1315 may include the indication of the foldable statecapability information in a UE capability message.

The beamforming component 1320 may perform a beamforming communicationbetween the base station and the UE based on the foldable statecapability information. In some examples, the beamforming component 1320may receive the beamformed communication according to a beamwidth usedby the base station based on the foldable state capability information.In some cases, the beamforming component 1320 may receive a beamformedsignal from the base station via the configured set of receive antennaarrays. In some aspects, the beamforming component 1320 may transmit abeamformed signal to the base station via the configured set of transmitantenna arrays.

The array information component 1345 may identify antenna arrayinformation of the UE, the antenna array information corresponding tothe multiple antenna arrays. In some examples, the array informationcomponent 1345 may identify a set of active antenna arrays forbeamforming communications with the base station.

The array transmitter 1350 may transmit an indication of the antennaarray information to a base station in communication with the UE. Insome examples, the array transmitter 1350 may transmit an indication ofthe set of active antenna arrays in the antenna array information.

The communications component 1355 may perform a beamformingcommunication with the base station based on the antenna arrayinformation.

The angle manager 1325 may determine angle information associated withthe one or more foldable units. In some examples, the angle manager 1325may identify an angle separation between a first antenna array of afirst foldable unit of the one or more foldable units and a secondantenna array of a second foldable unit of the one or more foldableunits. In some cases, the angle manager 1325 may obtain relativepositioning information from one or more sensors of the UE with respectto a reference direction. In some instances, the angle manager 1325 maydetermine an angle between two or more antenna arrays of the one or morefoldable units based on the relative positioning information.

The adjustment manager 1330 may adjust a beamwidth used by the UE basedon the beamwidth used by the base station.

The foldable state manager 1335 may determine a foldable state of the UEbased on the one or more foldable units. In some cases, the foldablestate of the UE includes a single quantized state from a set ofquantized states associated with the UE. In some examples, the foldablestate of the UE includes an indication for one of a folded state, one ormore partially open states, a fully open state, or a flat state. In someinstances, the foldable state of the UE is associated with a 0 degreeangle, a 90 degree angle, a 180 degree angle, or an intermediate anglebetween two or more of the one or more foldable units.

The configuration component 1340 may configure a set of receive antennaarrays of the UE based on the foldable state capability information. Insome examples, the configuration component 1340 may configure a set oftransmit antenna arrays of the UE based on the foldable state capabilityinformation.

FIG. 14 shows a diagram of a system 1400 including a device 1405 thatsupports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Thedevice 1405 may be an example of or include the components of device1105, device 1205, or a UE as described herein. The device 1405 mayinclude components for bi-directional voice and data communicationsincluding components for transmitting and receiving communications,including a communications manager 1410, an I/O controller 1415, atransceiver 1420, an antenna 1425, memory 1430, and a processor 1440.These components may be in electronic communication via one or morebuses (e.g., bus 1445).

The communications manager 1410 may identify foldable state capabilityinformation of the UE, the foldable state capability informationcorresponding to a state of the one or more foldable units, transmit anindication of the foldable state capability information to a basestation in communications with the UE, and perform a beamformingcommunication between the base station and the UE based on the foldablestate capability information.

The communications manager 1410 may also identify antenna arrayinformation of the UE, the antenna array information corresponding tothe multiple antenna arrays, transmit an indication of the antenna arrayinformation to a base station in communication with the UE, and performa beamforming communication with the base station based on the antennaarray information.

The I/O controller 1415 may manage input and output signals for thedevice 1405. The I/O controller 1415 may also manage peripherals notintegrated into the device 1405. In some cases, the I/O controller 1415may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral.In some cases, the I/O controller 1415 may utilize an operating systemsuch as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, oranother known operating system. In other cases, the I/O controller 1415may represent or interact with a modem, a keyboard, a mouse, atouchscreen, or a similar device. In some cases, the I/O controller 1415may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user mayinteract with the device 1405 via the I/O controller 1415 or viahardware components controlled by the I/O controller 1415.

The transceiver 1420 may communicate bi-directionally, via one or moreantennas, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, thetransceiver 1420 may represent a wireless transceiver and maycommunicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. Thetransceiver 1420 may also include a modem to modulate the packets andprovide the modulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and todemodulate packets received from the antennas.

In some cases, the device 1405 may include a single antenna 1425, or thedevice 1405 may have more than one antenna 1425, which may be capable ofconcurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

The memory 1430 may include random access memory (RAM) and/or read onlymemory (ROM). The memory 1430 may store computer-readable,computer-executable code 1435 including instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to perform various functions describedherein. In some cases, the memory 1430 may contain, among other things,a basic input output system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware orsoftware operation such as the interaction with peripheral components ordevices.

The processor 1440 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU), amicrocontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, adiscrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardwarecomponent, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor1440 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memorycontroller. In other cases, a memory controller may be integrated intothe processor 1440. The processor 1440 may be configured to executecomputer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory1430) to cause the device 1405 to perform various functions (e.g.,functions or tasks supporting flexible beamforming techniques forwireless devices).

The code 1435 may include instructions to implement aspects of thepresent disclosure, including instructions to support wirelesscommunications. The code 1435 may be stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium such as system memory or other type of memory.In some cases, the code 1435 may not be directly executable by theprocessor 1440 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled andexecuted) to perform functions described herein.

FIG. 15 shows a block diagram 1500 of a device 1505 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1505 may be anexample of aspects of a network device (e.g., a base station) asdescribed herein. The device 1505 may include a receiver 1510, acommunications manager 1515, and a transmitter 1520. The device 1505 mayalso include a processor. Each of these components may be incommunication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver 1510 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to flexiblebeamforming techniques for wireless devices, etc.). Information may bepassed on to other components of the device 1505. The receiver 1510 maybe an example of aspects of the transceiver 1620 described withreference to FIG. 16. The receiver 1510 may utilize a single antenna ora set of antennas.

The communications manager 1515 may receive, from a UE, an indication offoldable state capability information of the UE, the foldable statecapability information corresponding to a state of the one or morefoldable units of the UE, determine a beamforming parameter forbeamforming communications with the UE based on the foldable statecapability information, and perform a beamforming communication with theUE based on the beamforming parameter.

The communications manager 1515 may also receive, from a UE, anindication of antenna array information of the UE, the antenna arrayinformation corresponding to multiple antenna arrays of the UE,determine a beamforming parameter for beamforming communications withthe UE based on the antenna array information, and perform a beamformingcommunication with the UE based on the beamforming parameter. Thecommunications manager 1515 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 1610 described herein.

The communications manager 1515, or its sub-components, may beimplemented in hardware, code (e.g., software or firmware) executed by aprocessor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executedby a processor, the functions of the communications manager 1515, or itssub-components may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, anASIC, a FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described in the presentdisclosure.

The communications manager 1515, or its sub-components, may bephysically located at various positions, including being distributedsuch that portions of functions are implemented at different physicallocations by one or more physical components. In some examples, thecommunications manager 1515, or its sub-components, may be a separateand distinct component in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. In some examples, the communications manager 1515, or itssub-components, may be combined with one or more other hardwarecomponents, including but not limited to an I/O component, atransceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or moreother components described in the present disclosure, or a combinationthereof in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

The transmitter 1520 may transmit signals generated by other componentsof the device 1505. In some examples, the transmitter 1520 may becollocated with a receiver 1510 in a transceiver module. For example,the transmitter 1520 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1620 described with reference to FIG. 16. The transmitter 1520 mayutilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 16 shows a block diagram 1600 of a device 1605 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1605 may be anexample of aspects of a device 1505, or a network device (e.g., a basestation) as described herein. The device 1605 may include a receiver1610, a communications manager 1615, and a transmitter 1650. The device1605 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be incommunication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The receiver 1610 may receive information such as packets, user data, orcontrol information associated with various information channels (e.g.,control channels, data channels, and information related to flexiblebeamforming techniques for wireless devices, etc.). Information may bepassed on to other components of the device 1605. The receiver 1610 maybe an example of aspects of the transceiver 1620 described withreference to FIG. 16. The receiver 1610 may utilize a single antenna ora set of antennas.

The communications manager 1615 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 1515 as described herein. The communicationsmanager 1615 may include an indication receiver 1620, a parametercomponent 1625, a beamforming manager 1630, an array information manager1635, a parameter manager 1640, and a communications component 1645. Thecommunications manager 1615 may be an example of aspects of thecommunications manager 1610 described herein.

The indication receiver 1620 may receive, from a UE, an indication offoldable state capability information of the UE, the foldable statecapability information corresponding to a state of the one or morefoldable units of the UE. The parameter component 1625 may determine abeamforming parameter for beamforming communications with the UE basedon the foldable state capability information. The beamforming manager1630 may perform a beamforming communication with the UE based on thebeamforming parameter. The array information manager 1635 may receive,from a UE, an indication of antenna array information of the UE, theantenna array information corresponding to multiple antenna arrays ofthe UE. The parameter manager 1640 may determine a beamforming parameterfor beamforming communications with the UE based on the antenna arrayinformation. The communications component 1645 may perform a beamformingcommunication with the UE based on the beamforming parameter. Thetransmitter 1650 may transmit signals generated by other components ofthe device 1605. In some examples, the transmitter 1650 may becollocated with a receiver 1610 in a transceiver module. For example,the transmitter 1650 may be an example of aspects of the transceiver1620 described with reference to FIG. 16. The transmitter 1650 mayutilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

FIG. 17 shows a block diagram 1700 of a communications manager 1705 thatsupports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Thecommunications manager 1705 may be an example of aspects of acommunications manager 1515, a communications manager 1615, or acommunications manager 1610 described herein. The communications manager1705 may include an indication receiver 1710, a parameter component1715, a beamforming manager 1720, a periodicity component 1725, a beamindex component 1730, a beamwidth component 1735, a power manager 1740,an array information manager 1745, a parameter manager 1750, and acommunications component 1755. Each of these modules may communicate,directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

The indication receiver 1710 may receive, from a UE, an indication offoldable state capability information of the UE, the foldable statecapability information corresponding to a state of the one or morefoldable units of the UE.

The parameter component 1715 may determine a beamforming parameter forbeamforming communications with the UE based on the foldable statecapability information.

The beamforming manager 1720 may perform a beamforming communicationwith the UE based on the beamforming parameter. In some examples, thebeamforming manager 1720 may receive the beamformed communication fromthe UE according to a beamwidth used by the UE, the beamwidth for use bythe base station is determined based on the beamwidth used by the UE. Insome cases, the beamforming manager 1720 may transmit the beamformingcommunication via the at least one beam in accordance with the transmitpower.

The array information manager 1745 may receive, from a UE, an indicationof antenna array information of the UE, the antenna array informationcorresponding to multiple antenna arrays of the UE. In some examples,the array information manager 1745 may identify a set of active antennaarrays of the UE for beamforming communications based on the antennaarray information.

The parameter manager 1750 may determine a beamforming parameter forbeamforming communications with the UE based on the antenna arrayinformation. In some examples, the parameter manager 1750 may determinethe beamforming parameter based on the set of active antenna arrays.

The communications component 1755 may perform a beamformingcommunication with the UE based on the beamforming parameter.

The periodicity component 1725 may determine a periodicity for a set ofreference signals of a beam training process for the UE. In someexamples, the periodicity component 1725 may transmit an indication ofthe periodicity for the set of reference signals to of the beam trainingprocess to the UE. In some cases, the periodicity component 1725 mayincrease or decreasing the periodicity of the set of reference signalswith respect to a current or previous periodicity of the set ofreference signals. In some instances, the set of reference signalsincludes a set of CSI-RSs. In some aspects, the indication of theperiodicity is transmitted to the UE via a downlink control channel.

The beam index component 1730 may a set of beam indices or a number ofbeams for use at the UE in beamforming communications with the UE, wheredetermining the number of beams comprises determining a hierarchy of thenumber of beams. In some examples, the beam index component 1730 maytransmit an indication of the set of beam indices or the number of beamsto the UE. In some cases, the beam index component 1730 may determine aset of beam indices for use at the base station in beamformingcommunications with the UE, where the beamforming communication isperformed based on the set of beam indices of the number of beams, wherethe determination of the number of beams comprises determining ahierarchy of the number of beams. The beam index component 1730 mayadjust a codebook associated with the number of beams, the beam indices,or the hierarchy of the number of beams, or a combination thereof.

The beamwidth component 1735 may determine a beamwidth of a beam for useat the UE in beamforming communications with the UE. In some examples,the beamwidth component 1735 may transmit an indication of the beamwidthof the beam to the UE. In some cases, the beamwidth component 1735 maydetermine a beamwidth of a beam for use at the base station inbeamforming communications with the UE, where the beamformingcommunication is performed based on the beamwidth. The beamwidthcomponent 1735 may adjust a codebook associated with the beamforming ofthe beam.

The power manager 1740 may determine a transmit power for at least onebeam for beamforming communications with the UE. In some examples, thepower manager 1740 may determine respective transmit powers for each ofa set of beams for beamforming communications with the UE.

FIG. 18 shows a diagram of a system 1800 including a device 1805 thatsupports flexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices inaccordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Thedevice 1805 may be an example of or include the components of device1505, device 1605, or a network device (e.g., a base station) asdescribed herein. The device 1805 may include components forbi-directional voice and data communications including components fortransmitting and receiving communications, including a communicationsmanager 1810, a network communications manager 1815, a transceiver 1820,an antenna 1825, memory 1830, a processor 1840, and an inter-stationcommunications manager 1845. These components may be in electroniccommunication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1850).

The communications manager 1810 may receive, from a UE, an indication offoldable state capability information of the UE, the foldable statecapability information corresponding to a state of the one or morefoldable units of the UE, determine a beamforming parameter forbeamforming communications with the UE based on the foldable statecapability information, and perform a beamforming communication with theUE based on the beamforming parameter.

The communications manager 1810 may also receive, from a UE, anindication of antenna array information of the UE, the antenna arrayinformation corresponding to multiple antenna arrays of the UE,determine a beamforming parameter for beamforming communications withthe UE based on the antenna array information, and perform a beamformingcommunication with the UE based on the beamforming parameter.

The network communications manager 1815 may manage communications withthe core network (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). Forexample, the network communications manager 1815 may manage the transferof data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115.

The transceiver 1820 may communicate bi-directionally, via one or moreantennas, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, thetransceiver 1820 may represent a wireless transceiver and maycommunicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. Thetransceiver 1820 may also include a modem to modulate the packets andprovide the modulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and todemodulate packets received from the antennas.

In some cases, the device 1805 may include a single antenna 1825, or thedevice 1805 may have more than one antenna 1825, which may be capable ofconcurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

The memory 1830 may include RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. Thememory 1830 may store computer-readable code 1835 including instructionsthat, when executed by a processor (e.g., the processor 1840) cause thedevice to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, thememory 1830 may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may controlbasic hardware or software operation such as the interaction withperipheral components or devices.

The processor 1840 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, anFPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logiccomponent, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof).In some cases, the processor 1840 may be configured to operate a memoryarray using a memory controller. In some cases, a memory controller maybe integrated into processor 1840. The processor 1840 may be configuredto execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., thememory 1830) to cause the device 1805 to perform various functions(e.g., functions or tasks supporting flexible beamforming techniques forwireless devices).

The inter-station communications manager 1845 may manage communicationswith other base stations 105, and may include a controller or schedulerfor controlling communications with UEs 115 in cooperation with otherbase stations 105. For example, the inter-station communications manager1845 may coordinate scheduling for transmissions to UEs 115 for variousinterference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or jointtransmission. In some examples, the inter-station communications manager1845 may provide an X2 interface within an LTE/LTE-A wirelesscommunication network technology to provide communication between basestations 105.

The code 1835 may include instructions to implement aspects of thepresent disclosure, including instructions to support wirelesscommunications. The code 1835 may be stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium such as system memory or other type of memory.In some cases, the code 1835 may not be directly executable by theprocessor 1840 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled andexecuted) to perform functions described herein.

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1900 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1900 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as describedherein. For example, the operations of method 1900 may be performed by acommunications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through14. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to controlthe functional elements of the UE to perform the functions describedherein. Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of thefunctions described herein using special-purpose hardware.

At 1905, the UE may identify foldable state capability information ofthe UE, the foldable state capability information corresponding to astate of the one or more foldable units. The operations of 1905 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 1905 may be performed by a capabilityidentifier as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 1910, the UE may transmit an indication of the foldable statecapability information to a base station in communications with the UE.The operations of 1910 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1910may be performed by an indication transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 1915, the UE may perform a beamforming communication between the basestation and the UE based on the foldable state capability information.The operations of 1915 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1915may be performed by a beamforming component as described with referenceto FIGS. 11 through 14.

FIG. 20 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2000 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method2000 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as describedherein. For example, the operations of method 2000 may be performed by acommunications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through14. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to controlthe functional elements of the UE to perform the functions describedherein. Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of thefunctions described herein using special-purpose hardware.

At 2005, the UE may identify foldable state capability information ofthe UE, the foldable state capability information corresponding to astate of the one or more foldable units. The operations of 2005 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 2005 may be performed by a capabilityidentifier as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 2010, the UE may determine a number of independently foldable unitsof the one or more foldable units of the UE. The operations of 2010 maybe performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 2010 may be performed by acapability identifier as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through14.

At 2015, the UE may transmit an indication of the foldable statecapability information to a base station in communications with the UE.The operations of 2015 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2015may be performed by an indication transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 2020, the UE may transmit the number of the independently foldableunits in the foldable state capability information to the base station.The operations of 2020 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2020may be performed by an indication transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 2025, the UE may perform a beamforming communication between the basestation and the UE based on the foldable state capability information.The operations of 2025 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2025may be performed by a beamforming component as described with referenceto FIGS. 11 through 14.

FIG. 21 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2100 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method2100 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as describedherein. For example, the operations of method 2100 may be performed by acommunications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through14. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to controlthe functional elements of the UE to perform the functions describedherein. Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of thefunctions described herein using special-purpose hardware.

At 2105, the UE may identify foldable state capability information ofthe UE, the foldable state capability information corresponding to astate of the one or more foldable units. The operations of 2105 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 2105 may be performed by a capabilityidentifier as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 2110, the UE may determine angle information associated with the oneor more foldable units. The operations of 2110 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 2110 may be performed by an angle manager as describedwith reference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 2115, the UE may transmit an indication of the foldable statecapability information to a base station in communications with the UE.The operations of 2115 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2115may be performed by an indication transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 2120, the UE may transmit the angle information associated with theone or more foldable units in the foldable state capability information.The operations of 2120 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2120may be performed by an indication transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 2125, the UE may perform a beamforming communication between the basestation and the UE based on the foldable state capability information.The operations of 2125 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2125may be performed by a beamforming component as described with referenceto FIGS. 11 through 14.

FIG. 22 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2200 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method2200 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as describedherein. For example, the operations of method 2200 may be performed by acommunications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through14. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to controlthe functional elements of the UE to perform the functions describedherein. Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of thefunctions described herein using special-purpose hardware.

At 2205, the UE may identify foldable state capability information ofthe UE, the foldable state capability information corresponding to astate of the one or more foldable units. The operations of 2205 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 2205 may be performed by a capabilityidentifier as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 2210, the UE may determine a foldable state of the UE based on theone or more foldable units. The operations of 2210 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 2210 may be performed by a foldable state manager asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 2215, the UE may transmit an indication of the foldable statecapability information to a base station in communications with the UE.The operations of 2215 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2215may be performed by an indication transmitter as described withreference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 2220, the UE may transmit an indication of the foldable state in thefoldable state capability information. The operations of 2220 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 2220 may be performed by an indicationtransmitter as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 2225, the UE may perform a beamforming communication between the basestation and the UE based on the foldable state capability information.The operations of 2225 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2225may be performed by a beamforming component as described with referenceto FIGS. 11 through 14.

FIG. 23 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2300 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method2300 may be implemented by a network device (e.g., a base station) orits components as described herein. For example, the operations ofmethod 2300 may be performed by a communications manager as describedwith reference to FIGS. 15 through 18. In some examples, a base stationmay execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements ofthe base station to perform the functions described herein. Additionallyor alternatively, a base station may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed herein using special-purpose hardware.

At 2305, the base station may receive, from a UE, an indication offoldable state capability information of the UE, the foldable statecapability information corresponding to a state of the one or morefoldable units of the UE. The operations of 2305 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 2305 may be performed by an indication receiver asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 15 through 18.

At 2310, the base station may determine a beamforming parameter forbeamforming communications with the UE based on the foldable statecapability information. The operations of 2310 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 2310 may be performed by a parameter component asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 15 through 18.

At 2315, the base station may perform a beamforming communication withthe UE based on the beamforming parameter. The operations of 2315 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 2315 may be performed by a beamformingmanager as described with reference to FIGS. 15 through 18.

FIG. 24 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2400 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method2400 may be implemented by a network device (e.g., a base station) orits components as described herein. For example, the operations ofmethod 2400 may be performed by a communications manager as describedwith reference to FIGS. 15 through 18. In some examples, a base stationmay execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements ofthe base station to perform the functions described herein. Additionallyor alternatively, a base station may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed herein using special-purpose hardware.

At 2405, the base station may receive, from a UE, an indication offoldable state capability information of the UE, the foldable statecapability information corresponding to a state of the one or morefoldable units of the UE. The operations of 2405 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 2405 may be performed by an indication receiver asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 15 through 18.

At 2410, the base station may determine a periodicity for a set ofreference signals of a beam training process for the UE (e.g., based onthe foldable state capability information of the UE). The operations of2410 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 2410 may be performed by aperiodicity component as described with reference to FIGS. 15 through18.

At 2415, the base station may transmit an indication of the periodicityfor the set of reference signals to of the beam training process to theUE. The operations of 2415 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2415may be performed by a periodicity component as described with referenceto FIGS. 15 through 18.

Optionally, at 2420, the base station may determine a beamformingparameter for beamforming communications with the UE based on thefoldable state capability information. The operations of 2420 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 2420 may be performed by a parametercomponent as described with reference to FIGS. 15 through 18.

Optionally, at 2425, the base station may perform a beamformingcommunication with the UE based on the beamforming parameter. Theoperations of 2425 may be performed according to the methods describedherein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2425 may beperformed by a beamforming manager as described with reference to FIGS.15 through 18.

FIG. 25 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2500 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method2500 may be implemented by a network device (e.g., a base station) orits components as described herein. For example, the operations ofmethod 2500 may be performed by a communications manager as describedwith reference to FIGS. 15 through 18. In some examples, a base stationmay execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements ofthe base station to perform the functions described herein. Additionallyor alternatively, a base station may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed herein using special-purpose hardware.

At 2505, the base station may receive, from a UE, an indication offoldable state capability information of the UE, the foldable statecapability information corresponding to a state of the one or morefoldable units of the UE. The operations of 2505 may be performedaccording to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects ofthe operations of 2505 may be performed by an indication receiver asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 15 through 18.

At 2510, the base station may determine a transmit power for at leastone beam for beamforming communications with the UE (e.g., based on thefoldable state capability information). The operations of 2510 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 2510 may be performed by a power manager asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 15 through 18.

At 2515, the base station may transmit a beamforming communication viaat least one beam in accordance with the transmit power. The operationsof 2515 may be performed according to the methods described herein. Insome examples, aspects of the operations of 2515 may be performed by abeamforming manager as described with reference to FIGS. 15 through 18.

FIG. 26 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2600 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method2600 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as describedherein. For example, the operations of method 2600 may be performed by acommunications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through14. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to controlthe functional elements of the UE to perform the functions describedherein. Additionally or alternatively, a UE may perform aspects of thefunctions described herein using special-purpose hardware.

At 2605, the UE may identify antenna array information of the UE, theantenna array information corresponding to the multiple antenna arrays.The operations of 2605 may be performed according to the methodsdescribed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2605may be performed by an array information component as described withreference to FIGS. 11 through 14.

At 2610, the UE may transmit an indication of the antenna arrayinformation to a base station in communication with the UE. Theoperations of 2610 may be performed according to the methods describedherein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2610 may beperformed by an array transmitter as described with reference to FIGS.11 through 14.

At 2615, the UE may perform a beamforming communication with the basestation based on the antenna array information. The operations of 2615may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 2615 may be performed by acommunications component as described with reference to FIGS. 11 through14.

FIG. 27 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2700 that supportsflexible beamforming techniques for wireless devices in accordance withone or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method2700 may be implemented by a network device (e.g., a base station) orits components as described herein. For example, the operations ofmethod 2700 may be performed by a communications manager as describedwith reference to FIGS. 15 through 18. In some examples, a base stationmay execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements ofthe base station to perform the functions described herein. Additionallyor alternatively, a base station may perform aspects of the functionsdescribed herein using special-purpose hardware.

At 2705, the base station may receive, from a UE, an indication ofantenna array information of the UE, the antenna array informationcorresponding to multiple antenna arrays of the UE. The operations of2705 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In someexamples, aspects of the operations of 2705 may be performed by an arrayinformation manager as described with reference to FIGS. 15 through 18.

At 2710, the base station may determine a beamforming parameter forbeamforming communications with the UE based on the antenna arrayinformation. The operations of 2710 may be performed according to themethods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of2710 may be performed by a parameter manager as described with referenceto FIGS. 15 through 18.

At 2715, the base station may perform a beamforming communication withthe UE based on the beamforming parameter. The operations of 2715 may beperformed according to the methods described herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 2715 may be performed by a communicationscomponent as described with reference to FIGS. 15 through 18.

It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possibleimplementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearrangedor otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible.Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

Aspects of the following examples may be combined with any of theprevious examples or aspects described herein.

Example 1: A method of wireless communications at a UE having one ormore foldable units is described. The method may include identifyingfoldable state capability information of the UE, the foldable statecapability information corresponding to a state of the one or morefoldable units, transmitting an indication of the foldable statecapability information to a base station in communications with the UE,and performing a beamforming communication between the base station andthe UE based on the foldable state capability information.

Example 2: The method of example 1, further comprising: determining anumber of independently foldable units of the one or more foldable unitsof the UE, and transmitting the number of the independently foldableunits in the foldable state capability information to the base station.

Example 3: The method of any of examples 1 and 2, further comprising:determining angle information associated with the one or more foldableunits, and transmitting the angle information associated with the one ormore foldable units in the foldable state capability information.

Example 4: The method of any of examples 1 to 3, further comprising:determining identifying an angle separation between a first antennaarray of a first foldable unit of the one or more foldable units and asecond antenna array of a second foldable unit of the one or morefoldable units.

Example 5: The method of any of examples 1 to 4, further comprising:obtaining relative positioning information from one or more sensors ofthe UE with respect to a reference direction, and determining an anglebetween two or more antenna arrays of the one or more foldable unitsbased on the relative positioning information.

Example 6: The method of any of examples 1 to 5, further comprising:receiving the beamformed communication according to a beamwidth used bythe base station based on the foldable state capability information, andadjusting a beamwidth used by the UE based on the beamwidth used by thebase station.

Example 7: The method of any of examples 1 to 6, further comprising:determining a foldable state of the UE based on the one or more foldableunits, and transmitting an indication of the foldable state in thefoldable state capability information.

Example 8: The method of any of examples 1 to 7, wherein: the foldablestate of the UE includes a single quantized state from a set ofquantized states associated with the UE.

Example 9: The method of any of examples 1 to 8, wherein: the foldablestate of the UE includes an indication for one of a folded state, one ormore partially open states, a fully open state, or a flat state.

Example 10: The method of any of examples 1 to 9, wherein: the foldablestate of the UE may be associated with a 0 degree angle, a 90 degreeangle, a 180 degree angle, or an intermediate angle between two or moreof the one or more foldable units.

Example 11: The method of any of examples 1 to 10, further comprising:including the indication of the foldable state capability information ina UE capability message.

Example 12: The method of any of examples 1 to 11, further comprising:configuring a set of receive antenna arrays of the UE based on thefoldable state capability information, and receiving a beamformed signalfrom the base station via the configured set of receive antenna arrays.

Example 13: The method of any of examples 1 to 12, further comprising:configuring a set of transmit antenna arrays of the UE based on thefoldable state capability information, and transmitting a beamformedsignal to the base station via the configured set of transmit antennaarrays.

Example 14: An apparatus for wireless communications comprising at leastone means for performing a method of any of examples 1 to 13.

Example 15: An apparatus for wireless communications comprising aprocessor; memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored inthe memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus toperform a method of any of examples 1 to 13.

Example 16: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code forwireless communications, the code comprising instructions executable bya processor to perform a method of any of examples 1 to 13.

Example 17: A method of wireless communications at a base station isdescribed. The method may include receiving, from a UE, an indication offoldable state capability information of the UE, the foldable statecapability information corresponding to a state of the one or morefoldable units of the UE, determining a beamforming parameter forbeamforming communications with the UE based on the foldable statecapability information, and performing a beamforming communication withthe UE based on the beamforming parameter.

Example 18: The method of example 17, wherein: the one or more foldableunits may include a rollable folding display or an extendable display.

Example 19: The method of any of examples 17 and 18, further comprising:determining a periodicity for a set of reference signals of a beamtraining process for the UE, and transmitting an indication of theperiodicity for the set of reference signals to of the beam trainingprocess to the UE.

Example 20: The method of any of examples 17 to 19, wherein: determiningthe periodicity may include operations, features, means, or instructionsfor increasing or decreasing the periodicity of the set of referencesignals with respect to a current or previous periodicity of the set ofreference signals.

Example 21: The method of any of examples 17 to 20, wherein: the set ofreference signals includes a set of channel state information referencesignals (CSI-RSs).

Example 22: The method of any of examples 17 to 21, wherein: theindication of the periodicity may be transmitted to the UE via adownlink control channel.

Example 23: The method of any of examples 17 to 22, wherein: determininga set of beam indices or a number of beams for use at the UE inbeamforming communications with the UE, where determining the number ofbeams comprises determining a hierarchy of the number of beams, andtransmitting an indication of the set of beam indices or the number ofbeams to the UE.

Example 24: The method of any of examples 17 to 23, further comprising:determining a beamwidth of a beam for use at the UE in beamformingcommunications with the UE, and transmitting an indication of thebeamwidth of the beam to the UE.

Example 25: The method of any of examples 17 to 24, further comprising:determining a set of beam indices for use at the base station inbeamforming communications with the UE, where the beamformingcommunication may be performed based on the set of beam indices or thenumber of beams, where the determination of the number of beamscomprises determining a hierarchy of the number of beams, and adjustinga codebook associated with the number of beams, the beam indices, or thehierarchy of the number of beams, or a combination thereof.

Example 26: The method of any of examples 17 to 25, further comprising:determining a beamwidth of a beam for use at the base station inbeamforming communications with the UE, where the beamformingcommunication may be performed based on the beamwidth, and adjusting acodebook associated with the beamforming of the beam.

Example 27: The method of any of examples 17 to 26, further comprising:receiving the beamformed communication from the UE according to abeamwidth used by the UE, where the beamwidth for use by the basestation may be determined based on the beamwidth used by the UE.

Example 28: The method of any of examples 17 to 27, wherein: determiningthe beamforming parameter may include operations, features, means, orinstructions for determining a transmit power for at least one beam forbeamforming communications with the UE.

Example 29: The method of any of examples 17 to 28, further comprising:determining respective transmit powers for each of a set of beams forbeamforming communications with the UE.

Example 30: The method of any of examples 17 to 29, wherein: performingthe beamforming communication with the UE may include operations,features, means, or instructions for transmitting the beamformingcommunication via the at least one beam in accordance with the transmitpower.

Example 31: An apparatus comprising at least one means for performing amethod of any of examples 17 to 29.

Example 32: An apparatus for wireless communications comprising aprocessor; memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored inthe memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus toperform a method of any of examples 17 to 29.

Example 33: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code forwireless communications, the code comprising instructions executable bya processor to perform a method of any of examples 17 to 29.

Example 34: A method of wireless communications at a UE having multipleantenna arrays is described. The method may include identifying antennaarray information of the UE, the antenna array information correspondingto the multiple antenna arrays, transmitting an indication of theantenna array information to a base station in communication with theUE, and performing a beamforming communication with the base stationbased on the antenna array information.

Example 35: The method of example 34, further comprising: identifying aset of active antenna arrays for beamforming communications with thebase station, and transmitting an indication of the set of activeantenna arrays in the antenna array information.

Example 36: An apparatus comprising at least one means for performing amethod of any of examples 34 and 35.

Example 37: An apparatus for wireless communications comprising aprocessor; memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored inthe memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus toperform a method of any of examples 34 and 35.

Example 38: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code forwireless communications, the code comprising instructions executable bya processor to perform a method of any of examples 34 and 35.

Example 39: A method of wireless communications at a base station isdescribed. The method may include receiving, from a UE, an indication ofantenna array information of the UE, the antenna array informationcorresponding to multiple antenna arrays of the UE, determining abeamforming parameter for beamforming communications with the UE basedon the antenna array information, and performing a beamformingcommunication with the UE based on the beamforming parameter.

Example 40: The method of example 34, further comprising: identifying aset of active antenna arrays of the UE for beamforming communicationsbased on the antenna array information, and determining the beamformingparameter based on the set of active antenna arrays.

Example 41: An apparatus comprising at least one means for performing amethod of any of examples 39 and 40.

Example 42: An apparatus for wireless communications comprising aprocessor; memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored inthe memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus toperform a method of any of examples 39 and 40.

Example 43: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code forwireless communications, the code comprising instructions executable bya processor to perform a method of any of examples 39 and 40.

Techniques described herein may be used for various wirelesscommunications systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, single carrierfrequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. A CDMAsystem may implement a radio technology such as CDMA2000, UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc. CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95,and IS-856 standards. IS-2000 Releases may be commonly referred to asCDMA2000 1×, 1×, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) is commonly referred to asCDMA2000 1×EV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includesWideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. A TDMA system mayimplement a radio technology such as Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM).

An OFDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Ultra MobileBroadband (UMB), E-UTRA, Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20,Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS). LTE, LTE-A, and LTE-A Pro are releasesof UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR,and GSM are described in documents from the organization named “3rdGeneration Partnership Project” (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are describedin documents from an organization named “3rd Generation PartnershipProject 2” (3GPP2). The techniques described herein may be used for thesystems and radio technologies mentioned herein as well as other systemsand radio technologies. While aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NRsystem may be described for purposes of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-APro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, thetechniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro,or NR applications.

A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g.,several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEswith service subscriptions with the network provider. A small cell maybe associated with a lower-powered base station, as compared with amacro cell, and a small cell may operate in the same or different (e.g.,licensed, unlicensed, etc.) frequency bands as macro cells. Small cellsmay include pico cells, femto cells, and micro cells according tovarious examples. A pico cell, for example, may cover a small geographicarea and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptionswith the network provider. A femto cell may also cover a smallgeographic area (e.g., a home) and may provide restricted access by UEshaving an association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closedsubscriber group (CSG), UEs for users in the home, and the like). An eNBfor a macro cell may be referred to as a macro eNB. An eNB for a smallcell may be referred to as a small cell eNB, a pico eNB, a femto eNB, ora home eNB. An eNB may support one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four,and the like) cells, and may also support communications using one ormultiple component carriers.

The wireless communications systems described herein may supportsynchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, thebase stations may have similar frame timing, and transmissions fromdifferent base stations may be approximately aligned in time. Forasynchronous operation, the base stations may have different frametiming, and transmissions from different base stations may not bealigned in time. The techniques described herein may be used for eithersynchronous or asynchronous operations.

Information and signals described herein may be represented using any ofa variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data,instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chipsthat may be referenced throughout the description may be represented byvoltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles,optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection withthe disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with ageneral-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, or otherprogrammable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discretehardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform thefunctions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be amicroprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be anyconventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. Aprocessor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices(e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiplemicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration).

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, softwareexecuted by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. Ifimplemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may bestored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are withinthe scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to thenature of software, functions described herein can be implemented usingsoftware executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, orcombinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may alsobe physically located at various positions, including being distributedsuch that portions of functions are implemented at different physicallocations.

Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storagemedia and communication media including any medium that facilitatestransfer of a computer program from one place to another. Anon-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way ofexample, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media mayinclude RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flashmemory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othernon-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired programcode means in the form of instructions or data structures and that canbe accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or ageneral-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the softwareis transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using acoaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line(DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave,then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, orwireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD),floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce datamagnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items(e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or“one or more of”) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, alist of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BCor ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “basedon” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions.For example, an exemplary step that is described as “based on conditionA” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, asused herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manneras the phrase “based at least in part on.”

In the appended figures, similar components or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a secondlabel that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the firstreference label is used in the specification, the description isapplicable to any one of the similar components having the same firstreference label irrespective of the second reference label, or othersubsequent reference label.

The description set forth herein, in connection with the appendeddrawings, describes example configurations and does not represent allthe examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of theclaims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example,instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous overother examples.” The detailed description includes specific details forthe purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques.These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of thedescribed examples.

The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the artto make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosurewill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other variations withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is notlimited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to beaccorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for wireless communications,comprising: a processor; memory coupled with the processor, theprocessor and memory configured to: receive, from a user equipment (UE),an indication of foldable state capability information of the UE, thefoldable state capability information corresponding to a state of theone or more foldable units of the UE; and perform a beamformingcommunication with the UE based at least in part on a beamformingparameter for beamforming communications with the UE base at least inpart on the foldable state capability information.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to:determine a periodicity for a set of reference signals of a beamtraining process for the UE; and transmit an indication of theperiodicity for the set of reference signals of the beam trainingprocess to the UE.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processorand memory are further configured to: increase or decrease theperiodicity of the set of reference signals with respect to a current orprevious periodicity of the set of reference signals.
 4. The apparatusof claim 2, wherein the indication of the periodicity is transmitted tothe UE via a downlink control channel.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the processor and memory are further configured to: determine aset of beam indices or a number of beams for use at the UE inbeamforming communications with the UE, wherein the number of beams isdetermined based at least in part on a hierarchy of the number of beams;and transmit an indication of the set of beam indices or the number ofbeams to the UE.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor andmemory are further configured to: determine a beamwidth of a beam foruse at the UE in beamforming communications with the UE; and transmit anindication of the beamwidth of the beam to the UE.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to:determine a set of beam indices or a number of beams for use at the basestation in beamforming communications with the UE, wherein thebeamforming communication is performed based at least in part on the setof beam indices or the number of beams, wherein the number of beams isdetermined based at least in part on a hierarchy of the number of beams;and adjust a codebook associated with the number of beams, the beamindices, or the hierarchy of the number of beams, or a combinationthereof.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor and memoryare further configured to: determine a beamwidth of a beam for use atthe base station in beamforming communications with the UE, wherein thebeamforming communication is performed based at least in part on thebeamwidth; and adjust a codebook associated with the beamforming of thebeam.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor and memory arefurther configured to: receive the beamformed communication from the UEaccording to a beamwidth used by the UE, the beamwidth for use by thebase station is determined based at least in part on the beamwidth usedby the UE.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor andmemory are further configured to: determine a transmit power for atleast one beam for beamforming communications with the UE.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor and memory are furtherconfigured to: determine respective transmit powers for each of a set ofbeams for beamforming communications with the UE.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the processor and memory configured to perform thebeamforming communication with the UE further comprises the processorand memory configured to: transmit the beamforming communication via theat least one beam in accordance with the transmit power.
 13. A methodfor wireless communications at a base station, comprising: receiving,from a user equipment (UE), an indication of foldable state capabilityinformation of the UE, the foldable state capability informationcorresponding to a state of the one or more foldable units of the UE;and performing a beamforming communication with the UE based at least inpart on a beamforming parameter for beamforming communications with theUE based at least in part on the foldable state capability information.14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining aperiodicity for a set of reference signals of a beam training processfor the UE; and transmitting an indication of the periodicity for theset of reference signals of the beam training process to the UE.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein determining the periodicity comprises:increasing or decreasing the periodicity of the set of reference signalswith respect to a current or previous periodicity of the set ofreference signals.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the indication ofthe periodicity is transmitted to the UE via a downlink control channel.17. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining a set ofbeam indices or a number of beams for use at the UE in beamformingcommunications with the UE, wherein determining the number of beamscomprises determining a hierarchy of the number of beams; andtransmitting an indication of the set of beam indices or the number ofbeams to the UE.
 18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:determining a beamwidth of a beam for use at the UE in beamformingcommunications with the UE; and transmitting an indication of thebeamwidth of the beam to the UE.
 19. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: determining a set of beam indices or a number of beams foruse at the base station in beamforming communications with the UE,wherein the beamforming communication is performed based at least inpart on the set of beam indices or the number of beams, wherein thedetermination of the number of beams comprises determining a hierarchyof the number of beams; and adjusting a codebook associated with thenumber of beams, the beam indices, or the hierarchy of the number ofbeams, or a combination thereof.
 20. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: determining a beamwidth of a beam for use at the basestation in beamforming communications with the UE, wherein thebeamforming communication is performed based at least in part on thebeamwidth; and adjusting a codebook associated with the beamforming ofthe beam.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: receiving thebeamformed communication from the UE according to a beamwidth used bythe UE, the beamwidth for use by the base station is determined based atleast in part on the beamwidth used by the UE.
 22. The method of claim13, further comprising: determining a transmit power for at least onebeam for beamforming communications with the UE.
 23. The method of claim22, further comprising: determining respective transmit powers for eachof a set of beams for beamforming communications with the UE.
 24. Themethod of claim 22, wherein performing the beamforming communicationwith the UE comprises: transmitting the beamforming communication viathe at least one beam in accordance with the transmit power.
 25. Anapparatus for wireless communications, comprising: means for receiving,from a user equipment (UE), an indication of foldable state capabilityinformation of the UE, the foldable state capability informationcorresponding to a state of the one or more foldable units of the UE;and means for performing a beamforming communication with the UE basedat least in part on a beamforming parameter for beamformingcommunications with the UE based at least in part on the foldable statecapability information.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25, furthercomprising: means for determining a periodicity for a set of referencesignals of a beam training process for the UE; and means fortransmitting an indication of the periodicity for the set of referencesignals of the beam training process to the UE.
 27. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the means for determining the periodicity comprises:means for increasing or decreasing the periodicity of the set ofreference signals with respect to a current or previous periodicity ofthe set of reference signals.
 28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein theindication of the periodicity is transmitted to the UE via a downlinkcontrol channel.
 29. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:means for determining a set of beam indices or a number of beams for useat the UE in beamforming communications with the UE, wherein determiningthe number of beams comprises determining a hierarchy of the number ofbeams; and means for transmitting an indication of the set of beamindices or the number of beams to the UE.
 30. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, thecode comprising instructions executable by a processor to: receive, froma user equipment (UE), an indication of foldable state capabilityinformation of the UE, the foldable state capability informationcorresponding to a state of the one or more foldable units of the UE;and perform a beamforming communication with the UE based at least inpart on a beamforming parameter for beamforming communications with theUE based at least in part on the foldable state capability information.